A Katy ISD survey released April 1 is seeking feedback from affected families on a proposed boundary change for Cinco Ranch and Tays junior high schools.
Lowered occupancy at Tays Junior High School since the 2019-20 boundary modification has created the option for some Cinco Ranch Junior High School students to be rezoned to the campus in the 2025-26 school year, Chief Operations Officer Ted Vierling said at the March 24 work study meeting.
Who’s affected
District officials recommend three areas in the Acreage Homes and Westlake communities to change from Cinco Ranch to Tays junior high schools.
Vierling said the proposed land use zones include the following areas:
- Acreage Homes 60 C: Pecan Street, Lakeview Road, Cedar Lane, Roesner Lane and southwest of Westheimer Parkway near the Grayson Lakes neighborhood
- Acreage Homes 60 D: Hunter Lane, Tina Lane, Karen Lane, Sam Robinson Road and northeast of Gaston Road near the Grayson Lakes neighborhood
- Westlake 60 D: northeast of Gaston Road near Tompkins High School
Demographers say 67 students would be affected by the proposed modification in the three land use zones, Vierling said.
However, families in the affected area of Westlake who choose to rezone to Tays Junior High School wouldn’t be part of a district bus route, because there is a safe walk path of under 2 miles, Vierling said.
What they’re saying
One parent spoke in support of the boundary modification, saying the longer commute cuts into her children’s extracurricular activities, and her children are zoned to different secondary schools from their peers at Wood Creek Elementary School, which disrupts their continuity.
The backstory
When the district attempted to balance out enrollment in the southwest quadrant in time for the August 2019 opening of Adams Junior High School, there was a need to relieve Tays Junior High School of over 500 students, according to district documents.
At the time, the proposed areas remained at Cinco Ranch Junior High School because Tays Junior High School was "massively overcrowded,” Vierling said. Tays Junior High School’s boundary was shifted to send students to neighboring schools, Community Impact reported.
Now that Tays’ enrollment has declined, Vierling said the modification would be more convenient for affected families.
Survey respondents were contacted through email and have until April 30 to respond, Rachel Ross, KISD general manager of media relations, said in an email.
KISD staff will provide the community survey results at the May 5 board meeting, where trustees will vote whether to implement the boundary modification in time for August, Vierling said.
