Expansion projects are still on track for Klein ISD
With summer here, the Klein Independent School District remains a popular choice for families moving to the area.
District spokeswoman Judy Rimato said Klein is still considered a fast-growth district.
“The far northwest area of Harris County is desirable for many reasons,” she said.
She counts the proximity to major thoroughfares, and the variety of local businesses, restaurants and churches among the draws for families looking to relocate to the northern suburbs of Houston.
Robert Robertson, associate superintendent of facility and school services, said that while the rate
of growth has slowed a bit due to last year’s economic downturn, the district continues to have a rising student population.
“We anticipate having an additional 1,100 to 1,200 students for the next school year,” Robertson said. “That’s about a 2.2 percent growth rate.”
He explained that the recent completion of the Grand Parkway and the relocation of a number of large companies to the area are main draws for families contemplating a move.
“There’s still stuff coming in, and it definitely has an impact,” he said. “I think we’ll also see a lot of commercial development in the years ahead — and we haven’t seen a marked slow-down in home construction.”
Robertson said there are a number of new multifamily housing developments opening in the area as well. He said generally families with younger children will rent apartments and the district will keep a close eye on changes in demographics to gauge when a new elementary school will be needed.
The last demographic study was completed in the fall. Results of the next study will be presented next October.
In the meantime, crews are hard at work completing Mahaffey Elementary School which is slated to open in time for the next school year
“Everything is on track for the district to occupy the school on or near July 17 and to open the school for students in August,” Robertson said.
Students are also busy on the site for High School 5, which will be completed for fall 2017.
“It’s progressing nicely,” Robertson said. “We were far enough ahead in construction that we weren’t affected by the wet weather, and we didn’t sustain any damage from the severe floods in the area.”
“We’re right on schedule for our August opening,” he said.
Robertson said that the school was designed with a focus on creating small learning communities with spaces outside the classroom for groups to gather and work collaboratively.
“It’s going to be technology-rich,” Robertson said. “And the library is going to have a variety of recesses for group work. It will be more open to encourage more students to come to the library.”
Another unusual feature of the design is the career and technical education classrooms will be integrated with core curriculum instead of having a separate wing.
“Being adjacent has advantages,” Robertson said.
He explained that the CTE classes will be able to work alongside relevant core courses.
When High School 5 opens, only freshmen and sophomores will attend the first year, allowing students who are sophomores and juniors at the end of the 2016-17 school year to finish at their current high schools.
Robertson said that current forecasting models indicate that High School No. 6 will need to open sometime between 2022 and 2025.
The next construction projects for the district include Intermediate School 10 and Early Childhood Pre-Kindergarten Center North, both slated to open in 2018. Another elementary school is scheduled to open the following year.
Robertson said that architects are also working on the design of the early childhood center, which will serve the north part of the district.
The design process of Intermediate School 10 is in the final stages. “We’ll be breaking ground later this summer,” Robertson said.
Rimato said that there are schools in the district that are over-capacity. Temporary buildings are used to accommodate students until common spaces, including cafeterias, restrooms and libraries become crowded.
“A good rule of thumb is when a school reaches 120 percent of capacity, we want to have a new school open that year or the very next year,” Rimato said. “The district keeps a keen eye on growth to ensure that we build schools at the right time and in the most prudent location.”
In addition to building new schools, Robertson said plans call for the addition of a gym and career and technical education facility at Klein Forrest High School.
“We’re just starting our design effort,” he said. “We’re looking at multiple options and will see if it’s going to be a stand alone building or connected to the school.”
He said crews are preparing for needed maintenance, upgrades and repair projects, most of which will take place over the summer. The effort will include work on the roof of Klein Collins High School, which was the only campus to sustain damage from recent storms.
“We have multiple schools that will get a new air conditioning system or have major electrical work,” Robertson said. “Multiple campuses will have window and door replacements or new carpet and elevators. There are about 15 to 20 schools that will get a little here, a little there.”
He said working in the summer allows the district to undertake projects with a minimum effect on the students.
“It’s the best time to do things especially when we have to cut power or the water on a campus,” he said. “The principals work with us to allow us to get in there early and then we’re all ready to go when the students get back. We try to get done as much as we can over the summer.”