Waller ISD held Citizens’ Facilities Planning Summation Committee meeting

     Jan. 30, a large group of Waller ISD (WISD) citizens gathered in the auditorium at Waller High School for a Facilities Planning Summation Committee Meeting. The meeting summarized the findings of the Citizens’ Committees for Capacity (enrollment, growth, grade structure, and capacity) Planning, Existing Facilities Planning, and Financial Planning, which have been meeting since Nov. 14, 2006.
     WISD Board President Robert Carvell, along with WISD Superintendent Richard McReavy, and Chairperson of the Citizens’ Summation Committee Jerry Nickerson, welcomed the crowd as it began at 7 p.m. Tuesday evening.
     Kim Parmer; active parent, community member, and business owner in WISD; presented the findings of the Capacity (enrollment, growth, grade structure, and capacity) Planning Committee which was chaired by WISD parent and community member Brandi Gregg. She noted that this committee spent most of their time focusing on grade structure and child-centered conversation in hopes of proposing a new grade structure that will be better for the future of all students in Waller ISD. Parmer proposed on behalf of committee, realigning the current grade structure (kindergarten through fourth grade, fifth and sixth grade, seventh and eighth grade, and ninth through twelfth grade) to the more common kindergarten through fifth grade (K-5), sixth through eighth grade (6-8), and ninth through twelfth grade (9-12) structure already in use in many other area districts such as Cy-Fair, Bryan, Fort Band, Katy, Klein, Spring, and Spring Branch. This grade structure aligns with state curriculum and testing; and allows for fewer transitions with school, staff, peers, building structure, and for parents. Parmer reiterated the words of her committee’s chairperson, Gregg, and pointed out that grade structure realignment is nothing new to Waller ISD. In the past 30 years, the district has changed its grade structure seven times in an effort to fit students where they had space. During a Dec. 13 interim summary session, Gregg said; This time, we want to do what is best for our children, not just put them where they will fit.
     This committee explored an extensive demographics study done by Population and Survey Analysts (PASA) which showed that, conservatively speaking, WISD will grow by approximately 300 students each year for the next several years. For Robert Road Elementary, which is currently at capacity and will be experiencing most of the population growth, this means immediate issues.
     Next to speak to the group was Herb Thomas; concerned parent, community member, chairman of the Existing Facilities Planning Committee. Thomas was assisted by WISD Director of Maintenance Ray Stelter and SHW Architect Mary Alack. The Existing Facilities Planning committee worked diligently on an broad study of existing facility needs. The list of needs was extensive and included more elementary and middle school classroom space to accommodate for growth and grade restructure. This need for space could be solved by renovating and expanding Schultz Middle School to become a 6-8 grade campus and constructing a new elementary school.
     There is also a dire need for renovations at Waller Junior High (WJH), and expansion of the technology facility and Transportation Department based on growth in the very near future. Options discussed for WJH to make student travel from the east to west campuses safer and more accessible was a possible open-air or enclosed walkway across Farr Street.
     With not enough seating in the stands or parking in the parking lots at home football games, security and safety were also discussed. These issues could be managed through the expansion of WISD’s existing stadium.
     Finally, concerned parent and chair of the Citizens’ Financial Planning Committee, Jerry Nickerson, spoke about the finances of the district and what the probable impact of a bond election would be over the next few years would be. If a bond election is chosen, it appears that with state aid, and the paying off of existing debt service, there would be minimal impact to the tax rate.
    “I want to thank all the participants who committed their personal time and effort to this project. Because of your hard work, I know we will develop programs and facilities that will improve the academics, social lives, and safety of all the students in Waller ISD,” said WISD Superintendent Richard McReavy during a short summation before the meeting adjourned.
     At this point, a summation committee, made up of the previously mentioned chairs from the citizens’ committees, will prepare a presentation for the WISD Board of Trustees which will be presented during a special called meeting scheduled for Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. All are welcome to attend. More information on the facilities planning process can be found at http://www.wallerisd.net/bond/2006-2007 Citizens' Committee Planning.htm.