Discussions about Frisco ISD student safety will continue after the new high school zone to accommodate the opening of Independence High School in August 2014 was approved unanimously by the board at the Dec.16 meeting.

There were no changes from the original proposal, made to the board in October.

Parents and board members have voiced concern that some students who are being rezoned from Centennial High School to Independence will now have to cross Main Street as construction is ongoing to widen the road to six lanes.

Deputy Superintendent of Business Services Richard Wilkinson said the district has addressed most of the questions they have received by talking with city of Frisco officials as well as area property owners about construction timelines and the possibility of adding and completing sidewalks.

Wilkinson said Frisco officials said the two southern lanes of Main are on schedule to be completed by August, although city officials could not guarantee they would be finished by then. When that section of road is completed, construction on the northbound lanes will start.

Texas Department of Transportation officials have said the project on Main Street from Preston Road to Custer Road is expected to be completed in summer 2015.

Board members asked about the possibility of bussing students who would have to cross Main Street and are not within Frisco ISD's current bussing parameters only while construction is ongoing.

Board member Dan Mossakowski asked how many students would be involved and what it would cost to bus them while construction continues.

"I agree with some of the statements that were made that with construction there is a major safety issue there that we may want to address," he said.

Wilkinson said estimated costs to run a bus route to the area would be $90,000 for a bus, $20,000 for a bus driver salary, plus fuel costs.

"We really think we may be able to combine some routes, so worse case scenario, we are looking at $110,000-$120,000," Wilkinson said. "Honestly, I think we would be able to do it for less than that."