Tomball ISD continues planning for future growth with new campus
The Tomball Independent School District is considering options as it plans for the steady and continuous growth anticipated through the 2021-22 school year.
By 2022, the district is projected to grow from its current student population of 14,092 to 19,288 students.
“Over the past four years, our school district has grown by 27 percent,” said Tomball ISD Superintendent Huey Kinchen. “Based on a yearly demographic study, the district is projected to experience a 19 percent growth rate over the next three years.”
With that level of projected growth, a number of campuses in the district would be classified at 120 percent of their capacity and could be looking at some sort of expansion. The district could decide new campuses are needed to relieve the student population.
The district has seen steady growth over the last 10 years, which spurred voters to pass a $198 million bond referendum in May 2007, followed by approval of a $160 million bond referendum in May 2013.
Both bonds added three campuses in The Woodlands, with a fourth projected to open in the community in August.
On the district’s south side, the bond passages also added Tomball Memorial High School, two elementary schools, an intermediate school, a new district administration building, a new agricultural barn, and funded numerous technology, security and transportation upgrades throughout the district.
“We monitor our projections and attempt to look ahead by three years in order to accommodate student growth, but with such a rapid growth rate this has become more challenging,” Kinchen said. “Our growth rate is driven by quality schools and programs as well as a safe nurturing school community environment. We are fortunate that our thoroughfares have been expanded and that businesses and families are relocating to our community.”
To better pinpoint the projected growth in the district, trustees and administrators are looking at a number of options that could be implemented next year to alleviate overcrowding at Willow Creek Elementary, Lakewood Elementary, and Willow Wood Jr. High, as well as the projected overcrowding at Tomball Memorial High School that is expected by 2019-20.
Willow Wood Jr. High, one of two junior high schools in Tomball ISD until Creekside Park Jr. High opens in The Woodlands in August, has a capacity of 1,264 students and is nearly at 91 percent capacity.
Some of the remedies the district is considering include rezoning, some students at the junior high level, as well as students in some elementary campuses.
In the interim, the district is poised to open the fourth campus built through Bond 2013.
Chris Scott, who will serve as the first principal at Creekside Park Junior High, is working hard to make sure the district’s newest campus is ready to go for the start of the 201617 school year.
“We are continually talking about the new school and planning for the upcoming year,” he said. “The excitement is contagious. You can’t help but be excited and filled with anticipation about the great things happening at CPJH. This is a fantastic journey and I am definitely enjoying the ride.”
Before taking on the role as principal, Scott served as the director for math and science in Tomball ISD, and before that, as a principal and an assistant principal at College Station ISD.
Scott, who has never been part of opening a new campus, said there a number of challenges, such as hiring teachers and staff, some of whom are under contract at other campuses in Tomball ISD.
But those personnel who will be part of the new campus are already making significant contributions to what Scott believes will be a successful inaugural year.
“It’s exciting to talk with them and share their excitement about Creekside Park Junior High,” he said. “I’m looking forward to the start of the new year and I’m proud to be part of the overall experience.”