WISD Citizens’ Capacity, Existing Facilities Planning Committees meet

     The WISD Citizens’ Capacity Planning Committee (for enrollment, growth, and grade structure) met Dec. 4 and the Citizens’ Existing Facilities Planning Committee met Dec. 5 to discuss District needs.
     During the Dec. 5 Capacity Planning Committee (for enrollment, growth, and grade structure) meeting; citizens discussed grade structure, optimal school size, and immediate capacity concerns.
     On the topic of grade structure, the committee discussed the district’s current grade structure: kindergarten through fourth grade (K-4), fifth and sixth grade (5-6), seventh and eighth grade (7-8), and ninth through twelfth grade (9-12). They then began to look at the grade structure in many other area districts such as Cy-Fair, Bryan, Fort Band, Katy, Klein, Spring, and Spring Branch. All of these districts have a grade structure of kindergarten through fifth grade (K-5), sixth through eighth grade (6-8), and ninth through twelfth grade (9-12). Citizens talked about how a change to this popular grade structure could be advantageous for Waller ISD as it aligns with state curriculum and testing; and allows for fewer transitions with school, staff, peers, building structure, and for parents. Parents in attendance also commented that a K-5, 6-8, and 9-12 grade structure would be helpful for their children as students’ age and maturity levels would be better matched.
     When optimal school size was discussed things such as class size, extracurricular activities, and efficient management were mentioned. Recommendations were made that elementary campuses (K-5) with a capacity of 700-750 and middle school/junior high campuses (6-8) with a capacity for 900-1050 would be most advantageous for students and administrators.
     As WISD rapidly grows, immediate capacity concerns (in the next three years) are concentrated at Roberts Road Elementary as it is already over its capacity. The building is temporarily able to accommodate the growth with the use of portable buildings.
     During the Dec. 5 Exiting Facilities Planning Committee meeting, citizens discussed the needs of current facilities. Among the needs listed were general upgrades of old facilities; electrical upgrades to accommodate for technology; fencing around campuses such as Roberts Road Elementary and Fields Store Elementary (among others); the expansion of space for the technology and transportation departments; renovation of the football stadium including more seating, parking, and lighting; and other miscellaneous projects to make campuses more useful for students and more energy efficient to save the District money.
     Both committees adjourned with the decision that their next meeting would be the interim reporting session which will be held, along with the WISD Board of Trustees and the Financial Planning Committee, Wednesday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. Waller High School’s Auditorium. 
     More information on the citizens’ committees, and complete meeting minutes and handouts, can be found on WISD’s website at www.wallerisd.net; click on the “Facilities Planning” button at the top right of your computer screen or call 936.931.4078.