The big picture
The new boundaries, shown below, are intended to populate Creekside Elementary while relieving enrollment growth in existing Keenan and Stewart Creek elementary boundaries, according to a Dec. 19 release from the district.
According to previous reporting, an additional 293 and 409 students are expected to enroll at Keenan and Stewart elementary schools, respectively, in the next five years, per the findings from the district’s latest demographic study, which was released Aug. 14.
The specifics
A district committee formed this fall to review enrollment projections and propose elementary attendance boundaries that would relieve Stewart Creek and Keenan elementary schools, populate Creekside Elementary and impact as few families as possible, according to the release.
The district gathered feedback from potentially impacted families via meetings held at Stewart Creek and Keenan elementary schools, and a survey shared with the community before the committee recommended new attendance boundaries to the board of trustees.
“We appreciate the work of the committee and their intentional focus on gathering community feedback to create the best possible attendance boundary for Creekside,” board President Laurie Turner said in the release. “Moving forward with this option is the most prudent in terms of managing current enrollment and from a long-term planning perspective. The new elementary attendance boundary will allow MISD to most efficiently utilize our teachers, specialists and transportation personnel to serve students at all seven of our elementary campuses next school year.”
The background
MISD officials broke ground June 14 on Creekside Elementary School, which is under construction near Lake Creek High School off FM 2854. The new elementary school is funded by MISD's $326.9 million bond package voters approved in May 2022.
- In May, Kris Lynn, MISD assistant superintendent of finance and operations, said the guaranteed maximum price for the project was about $33.5 million, $1.3 million under the allocated funds for the project.
- School colors for the new campus are blue and gold.
- The mascot is the Creekside Cubs.
- Shelby Smith was named principal of Creekside Elementary School as of Dec. 6.
According to the release, incoming fifth graders and their siblings impacted by the attendance boundary adjustment may remain at their current zoned school for the 2024-25 school year but must provide their own transportation to and from school. Additional information is expected to be shared with impacted families in the spring.
One more thing
Trustees also approved a contract with Mark Ruffin on Dec. 19 to serve as the district's new superintendent beginning in January. He previously was named the lone finalist for the superintendent position in November, but state law dictates a 21-day waiting period before employment can be made official, according to the district.
