District staff and the board of trustees discussed potential plans for Staley Middle during an Aug. 25 workshop.
Some context
Staley Middle School was built in 1973 and originally housed Frisco High School before being converted into the middle school in 1996.
The middle school needs extensive plumbing repairs as it has a 52-year-old underground cast-iron plumbing system, which usually has a lifespan of 50 years, district officials said. Replacing the system would take 18-30 months to complete, according to previous estimates from district staff. This would remove students from the school for two to three years.
What are the options?
When considering the future of the campus, district officials considered cost, student displacement and student opportunities, according to the workshop presentation.
Replacing the plumbing system is estimated to cost $3.5 million. Options presented to the school board, which do not include the $3.5 million plumbing costs, are:
- Option A: $19.6 million for a light refresh
- Option B: $24.54 million for a full refresh of the campus
- Option C: $85 million for a new building
- Option D: close Staley May 30, 2026, at the end of the school year
Students previously zoned to Staley Middle would most likely attend either Hunt, Trent or Griffin middle schools.
Some context
The need for the closure comes after a failed bond, which voters denied in November, and declining enrollment.
A motion to close the middle school at the end of the 2024-25 school year was denied by FISD board members in a 4-3 vote April 14. After the failed vote, board members directed district staff to get additional information from a demographer for a further consideration regarding the closure.
FISD’s enrollment is also expected to decline by nearly 1,000 students over the next few years, according to updated demographic projections.
Next steps
In mid-September, FISD officials will receive updated enrollment projections for the 2025-26 school year. The board will hold a public meeting Sept. 15 for community discussion and a formal recommendation for the campus will be presented.
A community input meeting is set for Sept. 29 at Lone Star High School. The board of trustees are set to make a decision on the campus during an Oct. 20 board meeting.
