Waller ISD citizens committees gather for interim reporting session

     Dec 13, the Waller ISD Citizens’ committees for finance, existing facilities, and capacity planning gathered in the auditorium at Waller High School for an interim reporting and summation session. This session briefed all citizens on the progress of the three committees thus far as they work to determine the needs of Waller ISD.
     First, co-chairperson of the WISD Citizens’ Capacity Planning Committee (for enrollment, growth, and grade structure), Brandi Gregg, took center stage and presented excellent information on the findings of her committee since their first meeting Nov 14. Gregg began with an exercise on perception, a drawing that could be perceived as a beautiful young woman or an old ugly maid, to show that Waller ISD should be looking towards the future to something new and beautiful. She pointed out that her committee, made up primarily of WISD parents, has worked very hard to find a grade structure that will work best for their children. They expect to recommend to the WISD Board of Trustees a grade structure realignment to the popular 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) alignment 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. Gregg also 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. This time, we want to do what is best for our children, Gregg said, not just put them where they will fit. 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.
     Gregg pointed out that the district is in need of a new elementary school as Roberts Road Elementary is currently over its capacity, and all other WISD elementary schools are quickly approaching capacity.
     Second, chairperson of the Citizens’ Existing Facilities Planning Committee, Herb Thomas, along with WISD Director of Maintenance Ray Stelter, spoke to the group. Thomas and Stelter discussed a long list of needed improvements to existing facilities within the district such as 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.
     Finally, co-chairs of the Citizens’ Financial Planning Committee, Jimmy Henderson and Jerry Nickerson, along with WISD Assistant Superintendent for Finance Mike Marcus, 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, and the possibility of lowering the rate.
     After a short summation by WISD Superintendent Richard McReavy, the meeting adjourned. The complete PowerPoint from the Dec. 13 meeting 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. Meeting dates for the committees will be announced after Jan. 2.
     If you are a citizen or business owner in the District, and would like to get involved with the planning process, there is still room for you. Simply attend the next scheduled meeting or call Tracy Pershall at 936.931.3685.

PowerPoint