Frisco ISD Faces Funding Vote As Students Return
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FRISCO (CBSDFW.COM) - Children are heading back to classes in the Frisco Independent School District on Monday, but students are not the only ones feeling pressure on the first day of school. Educators, voters and even drivers across the district have a lot on their minds as the new year begins.
Principal Devin Padavil of Lebanon Trail High School wrote an online letter welcoming the Class of 2020 and explaining that he feels responsible for the future well-being of his students. "The high school becomes great through the accomplishments of our students, supported by dedicated teaching staff," Padavil wrote.
There are roughly 5,300 students in the Frisco ISD. "Our primary goal," the Lebanon Trail High School principal continued in his letter, "will be the academic and social growth of every student as we build a world-class high school."
Meanwhile, as educators begin working toward that goal, parents and other drivers around Frisco will be passing through new school zones in order to get their kids to and from their campuses. Lebanon Trail High School is one of three schools to see the new speed limits in Frisco -- the others being Vaughn Elementary School and Nelson Middle School.
The lower speed limits around these buildings before and after classes, along with a law against cell phone use for drivers, are intended to reduce the number of car crashes. According to the Texas Department of Transportation, drivers who were either not paying attention or not following the posted speed limits caused 663 car crashes in Texas school zones last year.
Along with the new school zone signs, drivers in Frisco will notice signs encouraging them to vote. The school district is asking for additional funds as the new year gets underway.
Voters will decide whether or not to raise property taxes to help pay for day-t0-day operations within the FISD. Officials from the school district said that they have absorbed more than $100 million in state funding cuts since 2011. Additional tax money would be used to hire more teachers and staff members, lighten classroom sizes, pay for class field trips and to prepare for any future funding cuts.
The city's property tax rate would go up by 13 cents, if voters approve the measure. That would mean a total increase of about $443 for an average home. "Just as a citizen of this community," stated Frisco mother Tia Texada, "it's socially responsible to get out and vote, either way, for or against it."
Early voting for the Frisco property tax increase closes Tuesday, and about 10,000 people have already voted. Election Day for this issue is on August 27. It is the only item on the ballot. Click here to find polling locations and times.
