HISD set to finalize new elementary school attendance boundaries
HOUSTON (KTRK) -- The Houston Independent School District is poised to finalize new attendance boundaries for some elementary schools tonight.
The proposed plan garnered some criticism at first when introduced in January. HISD hosted 6 community meetings in February, trying to calm parent's fears and explain the need for new boundaries. In some cases, children living right across the street from each other could be sent to different schools.
The problem stemmed from overcrowding. HISD asked for more 1,500 state waivers this school year for classroom exceeding 22 students. In rare cases, the district reported some classrooms contained 30 students. Texas mandates the number be no more than 22.
Eyewitness News learned there's a big compromise on the table. The plan expected to be voted on at HISD Board of Education's Thursday meeting gives currents parents the choice. If their student is already enrolled or is an incoming kindergartner, parents can choose to keep them in the currently zoned school or send them to the newly zoned school. If they choose their current school, students can stay there for the remainder of their education.
"We were really thankful for all the parents who came out to the 6 community meetings," said HISD spokesperson Holly Huffman. "We loved hearing all that feedback, we took it to heart, and internalized it as we finalized our plan."
HISD explained the following schools may be impacted by the plan:
- Anderson
- Memorial
- Ashford
- Northline
- Askew
- The Rice School
- Bastian
- Roberts
- Burbank
- Shadowbriar
- Bush
- Sinclair
- Crockett
- Smith
- Daily
- Stevens
- Emerson
- Tinsley
- Halpin ECC
- Twain
- Highland Heights
- Walnut Bend
- Kelso
- West University
- Love
- Young
- Lyons
HISD Board of Education meeting is set for 5:00pm today at the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center. The address is 4400 W. 18th Street in Houston. Parents can weigh in during public comment.
