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Plano ISD Board Approves Long Range Facility Plan Recommendations
June 11, 2024
During a special called meeting on Monday, June 10, the Plano ISD Board of Trustees approved recommendations presented by the Long Range Facility Planning Advisory Committee that includes the closure of Davis and Forman Elementary Schools and Armstrong and Carpenter Middle Schools. In addition, boundary changes associated with the closures were also approved. The plan, presented to the Board on May 21, provides an opportunity to improve learning conditions in higher-quality facilities, while also optimizing efficiencies and building utilization and enhancing long-term resource allocation and will be effective for the 2025-2026 school year.
The 71-member Board-appointed committee consisting of parents, staff and other community members, spent eight months studying data on all Plano ISD schools, including student enrollment, facility usage efficiency and equitable distribution of student support resources. Using guiding principles and efficiency criteria established by the Board, the committee considered a variety of factors that ultimately shaped their recommendations presented on May 21, including:
- The district’s declining enrollment
- Large disparities in both enrollment at different campuses and the quality of facilities students attend
- Facility ages, conditions and renovation history
- Operational cost savings
- Capital improvement cost savings
- Future cost avoidance of building replacement
- Opportunities for expansion of access to programs
- Demographic implications of potential changes
“Our district has experienced a consistent decline in enrollment for more than a decade and tonight’s recommendations will make the necessary adjustments to create better learning and extracurricular opportunities in improved facilities with our highly qualified staff and equitable programming to meet the diverse needs and interests of our students,” said Plano ISD Board President Nancy Humphrey.
As Plano ISD, along with most school districts in the state, is faced with financial constraints due to stagnant state funding and increasing costs, exploring all options for efficient use of limited dollars is necessary. By approving the recommended plan, the District will have:
- The ability to expand and improve student programs by consolidating resources
- Flexibility for future choice programs for students
- Projected annual savings of $5.2 million
- One-time savings of $20.1 million in reduced capital expenditures
- Cost avoidance for the future replacement of identified campuses of at least $340 million
- Reduction of overall available capacity by almost 20% or approximately 3,810 seats
- Improved staffing allocation efficiencies
- Improved staffing conditions through greater collaboration among grade-level and subject matter teams and potentially fewer teacher preparation assignments for an individual staff member
Extensive community and staff engagement played a crucial role in shaping the Long Range Facility Plan. Six community meetings were held to gather feedback from parents and community members, while information and feedback sessions were conducted on every campus to engage with Plano ISD staff. Feedback was presented to the committee and the Board in considering the actions that became a part of this plan.
“I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to our Long Range Facility Planning Advisory Committee who devoted their time and effort to this challenging work,” said President Humphrey. Plano ISD Superintendent Dr. Theresa Williams added, “Their careful and thoughtful deliberation of the data, paired with compassion for our community, has been invaluable. Their input and dedication are a testament to the strength and resilience of our community.”
Plano ISD will implement several measures to support impacted students, staff and families including transition teams and legacy committees throughout the 2024-2025 school year. Campuses designated for closure will be considered in accordance with a resolution adopted by the Board at the May 7 Board meeting that ensures any surplus property would be repurposed in a way that benefits the community and respects the integrity of our neighborhoods in partnership with the City of Plano.
Centralized programs, such as bilingual education, special education and pre-K, will continue to serve the needs of students and families. The Regional Day School Program for the Deaf (RDSPD) currently housed at Davis Elementary, will be relocated as a whole to nearby Harrington Elementary, ensuring continuity of services. The district will also expand existing programs at other campuses to accommodate the needs of students affected by the closures.
“I want to assure our families and staff that our top priority will be to ensure a smooth and supportive transition for everyone involved, “ said Dr. Williams. “We will work together with the same spirit of collaboration and dedication that this community was built on. Our commitment to providing the best possible education for our students remains resolute and unwavering, and with your partnership, we will navigate this transition with grace and unity.”
Changes to attendance boundaries will not be in effect until the 2025-2026 school year, but the district recognizes that some families may wish to make a change for the 2024-25 school year. Plano ISD has opened a transfer application submission opportunity until 11:59 PM on June 18, 2024 for the upcoming school year. This window is open as a way to assist families and students who are impacted by closures or boundary changes. These transfer applicants will receive priority consideration during this window.
Plano ISD has maintained a dedicated webpage, providing detailed information, supporting data, videos and other resources.