The Hays CISD board of trustees meets at 21003 I-35 N., Bldg. A, Kyle. (Sienna Wight/Community Impact)
Families in the Turner's Crossing neighborhood may send their students to a different school this fall, after Hays CISD trustees approved a new attendance-zone map Jan. 26 to accommodate expected growth across six schools.
The big picture
The rezoning map proposes changes to the elementary and middle school attendance-zone maps to combat current and projected overcrowding at Sunfield Elementary School, Buda Elementary School and McCormick Middle School.
Additionally, officials intend to better utilize capacity at Carpenter Hill Elementary School, Elm Grove Elementary School and Dahlstrom Middle School.
HCISD high schools would not be affected by the rezoning.
What's proposed?
The zoning changes include:
Persimmon: rezoned from Buda Elementary School to Carpenter Hill Elementary School
Turner's Crossing: rezoned from Sunfield Elementary School to Buda Elementary School; rezoned from McCormick Middle School to Dahlstrom Middle School
The Hays CISD board of trustees approved the rezoning of the Persimmon, Cole Springs Road and Turner's Crossing areas. (Courtesy Hays CISD)
Zooming in
District officials said they do not anticipate a substantial impact on current students, with the exception of Turner's Crossing. The neighborhood is projected to house 49 elementary students and 25 middle school students in 2026. These numbers are expected to rise to 92 and 46, respectively, by 2035.
“This is prezoning,” Chief Communication Officer Tim Savoy said at a Jan. 20 agenda workshop meeting. “We wanted to take a look at some areas that are not yet developed for the most part and try to prezone those into schools.”
Students affected by the rezoning may choose to remain at their current school until the final grade level at the campus, according to a news release. However, the district would not be able to provide bus transportation for these students.
What they’re saying
Savoy sent a notice to families at all six schools that would gain or lose students due to the rezoning, and included an opportunity to provide feedback. Multiple comments asserted that McCormick needs more substantial intervention to manage overcrowding.
“This wasn’t designed to be the fix for McCormick,” he said. “It buys us about a year or so of extra time. The fix for McCormick is going to have to come in the form of, likely, an additional middle school.”
Board of trustees Secretary Geoff Seibel said Middle School No. 7 is set to appear on the 2027 bond, which voters will decide on next year.
Looking ahead
The new attendance zones will go into effect for the 2026-27 school year, which begins in the fall.
