Magnolia ISD discuss plans for future growth, accommodations for overcrowding

A possible overcrowded district means a lack of space and opportunities for students in school programs and athletics, said MISD's Assistant Superintendent of Administration Ben King. He said a likely measure to address the needs of a crowded campus would be for certain programs to pack as many students as they can, despite the lack of space, or for other smaller programs—such as fine arts and junior athletics—to be cut in order to accommodate.

“I’m not saying we're definitely doing these things, but you'd have to pack kids in, or start putting lockers down the middle,” King said at the meeting. “You just do what you can to get as many kids involved so you don't have to make cuts just because you don't have locker room space.”

The conditions

The estimated future student population growth exceeds the current facilities MISD has to offer.

MISD Assistant Superintendent of Operations Erich Morris previously said that over half of MISD schools will be near or at capacity in about three years, according to previous Community Impact reporting. He reiterated that the money for these issues has to "come from somewhere," and if they are unable to generate the funds to expand their facilities, it is likely that funding will be taken from either the school's general fund or from student programs and staff.

Despite successfully passing bonds in 2022, local Magnolia voters voted against three proposed bonds in November, as previously reported. The funding would have allowed the construction of a third high school, two elementary schools, a second natatorium and facility upgrades.

An option to address overcrowding is student portable buildings to be quickly built across campuses. According to Erich Morris's research, the average cost for these portables is $110,000, and many lack the space and basic facilities many classrooms have on a day-to-day basis.

Rocky Gardiner with Zonda Demographics said it takes about four years to build a high school at MISD with proper funding. Meaning the needs of the growing student population will need to be met soon rather than later.

What to expect

MISD officials will host a community finance event called Money Matters Magnolia at 6 p.m. Jan. 20 at Magnolia Event Center.

MISD officials hope to detail the ripple effects of the three rejected bonds and what the next steps will be for the district, as well as the future accommodations that will be needed to address the growing student population.