Frisco ISD Delays New School Openings
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FRISCO (CBSDFW.COM) - The Frisco Independent School District is looking into more ways to save money after delaying the opening of four new schools for a year. The decision was made during a board meeting held Monday night. Memorial High School, Lawler Middle School, Liscano Elementary School and Talley Elementary School remain under construction.
The new schools were intended to ease overcrowding within the district, and construction on the campuses will be completed as scheduled. But the buildings will now sit empty for an extra year before welcoming students. The schools are now slated to open for the 2018-2019 year.
Monday night's decision to delay the school openings came after Frisco voters rejected a property tax hike. The school district planned to get $30 million from that tax increase. The move to delay the four school openings will save the district more than $15 million in operational costs.
However, the decision will come at a cost for some students. Overcrowding is an issue that still needs to be addressed. District officials are set to begin the rezoning process this fall. The new lines will focus more on school capacity, and smarter use of the limited space.
Thousands of families will be impacted by the decision.
Londa Grierson said that, prior to Monday night's delay, her son was going to be a freshman at the new Memorial High School next fall. That is not the case anymore. "He has no idea where he's going to go to school," Grierson stated. "Next month, they'll talk about rezoning."
Even with the delayed school openings, the Frisco ISD still needs to find ways to save more money. Monday night's decision is only a short-term solution. Long-term solutions are still being discussed. The district is asking parents to weigh in on budget priorities. There is a form online that parents can fill out to offer their suggestions.