FISD preps for student influx

Depending on the development of several large tracts of land in Frisco ISD territory, enrollment numbers could climb even higher than that projection within the next 10 or 20 years, Wilkinson said.

"Our outside demographer, external demographer, would say we would exceed 75,000 unless there are dramatic zoning changes by the city," Wilkinson said.

The school district has a bond program in place that will enable Frisco ISD to accommodate 52,000 students.

Wilkinson said the district is preparing to come forward with another bond program to be voted on in May 2014 that would accommodate about 62,000 students.

Continuous construction

FISD has opened 49 new schools since major growth began in 1998 and continues expanding at a rate of two to six campuses yearly.

Despite expecting 2,500-3,000 new students each year, the district is determined to keep school sizes reasonable.

Elementary schools are built to house about 700 students and middle schools 800-1,000 students.

Frisco ISD's first six high schools were originally built to house 1,800 students each, but in 2011 the district modified that policy, and is now renovating existing campuses and building new campuses to house 2,100 students. The additions are expected to save the district the cost of building one high school.

"Whether we end up having 10 high schools, 11 or 12 high schools, we're saving buying land, we're saving building an $80 million, $90 million high school by doing that," Wilkinson said.

Construction has already begun on the seventh high school, Independence High School, to be completed in 2014. Plans are to open the eighth, Reedy High School, in 2015, and possibly a ninth in 2017.

Four of the six existing high schools have received additions in the past two years, and Frisco High School's extensive, $20 million renovation and addition will soon be unveiled in time for the beginning of the school year.

Lone Star High School, the last high school to be expanded to 2,100 students, is on schedule for addition in either 2016 or 2017, depending on growth in the area, Wilkinson said.

Frisco High School

Frisco High School , the first school building dedicated to high school students, opened in the 1995-96 school year with additions constructed in 1997, 1998 and 2001.

The addition of 69,188 square feet will enable the school to house 2,100 students.

Frisco High School's project comes at a much higher cost than the additions to the other high schools —$3 million-$6.5 million— but is necessary to bring the campus up to par with other Frisco high schools, Wilkinson said.

"I'm excited that our students will have what other students have in our great district," said Frisco High School Principal Sylvia Palacios. "We are a growing school, and the space is very much needed. Originally, FHS was built for a smaller enrollment than what we now have."

Renovations and additions include a new state-of-the-art auditorium, new glass-windowed library, three additional serving lines in the expanded cafeteria, two new science labs, updated restrooms and a new gym that will allow the school to host two games simultaneously.

Additional classrooms, an orchestra rehearsal room, a drama classroom and geothermal parking lots are also part of the project, along with a new alarm system for the school.

"It's the right thing to do," Wilkinson said. "It's great for our kids. They will all have the same opportunities."

Renovations are expected to be completed by the start of school in late August with the exception of the auditorium, set for October completion, Wilkinson said.