The Round Rock ISD board of trustees approved Feb. 16 a set of controversial school boundary changes for the 2012–13 school year meant to relieve overcrowding at Cedar Ridge High School and set boundaries for Elsa England Elementary School, a new school to be built in Round Rock.

For the high school boundary changes, students living in the northern Wells Branch Municipal Utility District who were previously zoned for Cedar Ridge High School will now go to McNeil High School, located on McNeil Drive near the intersection of Parmer Lane.

Affected students set to enter high school in the fall will have to go to McNeil High School, but current Cedar Ridge High School ninth through 11th grade students in the rezoned area may choose which of the two schools to attend.

The boundary changes will affect about 120 current eighth graders and have sparked a wide range of emotional responses from the community.

"We can't make everyone happy. I think we did our due diligence. I think the boundary committee did its due diligence, and I think it's shameful to say that they didn't," trustee Diane Cox said.

At a Jan. 19 board of trustees meeting, a crowd lined up to share stories about the emotional toll the proposed high school boundary changes could take.

Michael Farris, a Wells Branch parent, talked about how the same group of students have endured several boundary changes in the last few years.

"I have not moved, but this will be our third high school in the last three years," he said.

Cedar Ridge freshman Jordan Farris shared the personal effect boundary changes have had on him in the past.

"I remember going to Cedar Ridge freshman orientation and how shocking it was because I had to do it all on my own. My grades suffered," he said. "I lingered in the locker room because I didn't have anyone to sit with at lunch."

Board member Terri Romere said making decisions regarding boundary changes can be challenging because it can be an emotionally charged issue.

"[It pits] neighbors against neighbors and friends against friends," she said.

According to district documents, a total of 53.63 additional staff will be needed to implement the boundary committee's recommendation for an estimated cost of $2.45 million.