Photo by Krista WadsworthDuring the Frisco ISD rezoning process, parents and board members have voiced concerns about student safety under the proposed new zones.
The worry is that students who are being rezoned from Centennial High School to Independence High School will now have to cross Main Street as construction is ongoing to widen the road to six lanes.
Those safety discussions will continue after the board unanimously approved at its Dec. 16 council meeting new high school zones to accommodate the opening of Independence in Aug. 2014. 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 indicate the two southern lanes of Main Street 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 complete, 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, while construction is ongoing, busing students who would have to cross Main Street and are not within Frisco ISD's current busing parameters.
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 and $20,000 for the driver, plus fuel.
"We really think we may be able to combine some routes, so worst 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."
Schools opening in 2014:
Independence High School 10555 Independence Parkway
McSpedden Elementary 14140 Countrybrook Drive
Newman Elementary12333 Briar Ridge Road
Scott Elementary 10550 Millbend Drive
Hosp Elementary 5050 Lone Star Ranch Parkway
Schools opening in 2015:
Reedy High School 3003 Stonebrook Parkway
Trent Middle School (no address available, located in Shaddock West subdivision, which will relieve Stafford Middle School in northwest portion of District)
FISD goals when evaluating attendance zones
Effective utilization of space — efficient space utilization for effective instructional programs
Stability of students — minimize the number of students changing schools
Neighborhood schools (elementary) — proximity of students to assigned campus
