Attendance boundaries

After three public hearings, Humble ISD approved an attendance boundary that includes flex zones for Elementary School No. 28 at a Feb. 14 board of trustees meeting. The new school is located within the Atascocita-area neighborhood The Groves and will open for the 2017-18 school year.

Students within the flex zones will have the option to attend either the school to which they are currently zoned or Elementary School No. 28 in the 2017-18 school year. Bus transportation will be provided. The new boundaries will affect students currently zoned to Atascocita Springs, Eagle Springs and Lakeshore elementary schools.

"I think we've learned a lot through this process, especially in the administration," board President Keith Lapeze said. "We learned a lot and we learned that we have a long way to go. I don't think anyone is happy with the way this process turned out. Nonetheless, this school needs to open."

The flex zones were developed after parents from the affected communities expressed concerns over neighborhoods being split by the new attendance boundaries.

"Boundaries are very difficult," board member Robert Sitton said. "You're not going to please everyone; it never happens. It's unfortunate that we're here at this late date because [Principal] Brian Peters is trying to create a culture with no boundaries."

The measure was approved with a 5-2 vote, with Sitton and trustee Nancy Morrison voting against it.

Legislative agenda

The district also approved its priorities for the state legislative session, which began in January.

The priorities featured a rebuke of school choice legislation unless public schools receive higher funding first.

"We oppose any state voucher plans or any program that diverts public tax dollars to private entities, homeschool students or parents with little or no academic or financial accountability to the state, taxpayers or local communities," Sitton said.

Priorities also included supporting more school funding and more flexibility in choosing election dates in addition to opposing the Texas Education Agency's new A-F rating system.

Humble Middle School awarded

Humble Middle School was named a model school for the 25th annual Model Schools Conference in Tennessee, which is taking place this June. The school's principal, Henry Phipps, will give a presentation to school districts across the country titled "Establishing Common Expectations of Rigor, Relevance, and Engagement."

North Belt Elementary School Principal Macaire McDonough-Davies will also lead a presentation titled "Nurturing a Quad D Attitude through Effective Instructional Strategies" at the conference.