Parents upset about rezoning in Humble ISD
HUMBLE, TX
There are about 275 homes in Woodspring Forest and just over 100 children in the neighborhood, but parents say they are very concerned about where their children could soon be told where to go to school.
If Humble ISD changes boundaries next week, the kids from Woodspring Forest would be rezoned to other schools.
Barbara Vogt, who bought her home here for the schools just four years ago, says she is upset.
"To be frank, I know that there are some sex offenders that live in the general vicinity, general proximity of one of the schools that they want to transfer our kids to," said Vogt.
She says she is also concerned the rezoning could lead to declining property values and a lesser education.
"We don't have that at this school," Vogt said.
Humble ISD says the rezoning is necessary to deliver the best education possible to all students. The district says Deerwood Elementary is currently over capacity by 13 students and is forecast to be over by 100 within six years.
In contrast, the school the Woodspring children would attend, Hidden Hollow Elementary, is currently underutilized with 180 students fewer than capacity. Even six years out, it's predicted to be under capacity by the same amount.
"Doing that would better utilize Hidden Hollow and we would avoid overcrowding at Deerwood Elementary School," said John Widmier, Citizens Boundary Advisory Committee.
Widmier helped lead the committee that studied rezoning options. He says Woodspring parents should note that the new scenario putting their children at Hidden Hollow actually puts them closer to their neighborhood.
If they don't want to move because they don't want children to attend middle school at Creekwood, Widmier says the superintendent is allowing them to stay.
"If they wish their middle school students remain at Riverwood Middle School, all they need to do is apply for a transfer and they will be given approval, carte blanche," said Widmier.
Humble ISD's school board is set to vote on this rezoning issue on April 13.
