Balancing the imbalance From the cover
FBISD campuses with the highest, lowest capacity through 2035
2025-26 2034-35
At a glance
Mission Elementary
Under capacity
Over capacity
45.8% 37.7% 47.9% 38.8% 47.4% 46.2% 44.8% 52.4% 42.3% 37.7%
Although some classrooms in the northwest and southeast areas of FBISD are experiencing overcrowding, district officials report that more than 20,000 seats remain available across the district—although not necessarily in areas where they’re needed. Beth Martinez, deputy superintendent chief of staff, said at the March 24 board meeting that the boundary initiative will involve a thorough review of every feeder pattern, with the potential for school consolidations and closures being considered. “In the most recent past, we have focused on growth in a few areas and we have not taken a district-wide approach,” Martinez said. “We have to look at our utilization across this district.” Excluding alternative campuses, 17 out of 78 total campuses at FBISD will be overcapacity for the 2025-26 school year, Martinez said at the June 23 board meeting. Meanwhile, 42 campuses will be undercapacity. While only one less campus will be overcapacity by 2034-35 school year, the number of undercapacity campuses will grow to 49, according to a 2024-25 Population and Survey Analyst demographic report. In the meantime, FBISD administrators have approved temporary measures for two schools.
FREEDOM PARK
Hodges Bend Middle
6
Barbara Jordan Elementary
Jordan Elementary
59
Mission Elementary
William B. Travis High
8
Willowridge High
Willowridge High
Hodges Bend Middle
Glover Elementary
James C. Neill Elementary
Edgar Glover Jr. Elementary
90A
Travis High
109.2% 110.7%
99 TOLL
Crawford High
Sugar Land
6
56.4%
Missouri City
114.9%
Neill Elementary
129.1%
151%
Thorton Middle
Heritage Rose Elementary
120.2%
183.9%
Ferndell Henry Elementary
Ferndell Henry Center for Learning
88%
191%
Ronald Thornton Middle
Almeta Crawford High
Heritage Rose Elementary
88%
206%
521
N
100% capacity
SOURCE: 2024-25 POPULATION AND SURVEY ANALYSTS DEMOGRAPHIC REPORT/ COMMUNITY IMPACT
Where it’s happening
The options
single-family housing developments in Olympia Fields in Fresno projected for the next 10 years. Aside from new housing developments, PASA President Stacy Tepara said at the Feb. 3 board meeting that most of the district’s growth will depend on charter school transfers—the majority of which involve students coming from areas outside of those new developments.
The Harvest Green, Sienna and Trillium hous- ing communities are expected to add the most students from home growth on northwest and southern portions of the district, according to the PASA report. Data shows there are still 3,887 additional housing units planned in Sienna, 1,203 additional in Trillium and 952 in Indigo as well as 440
In April, Chief Financial Officer Bryan Guinn said the current bond contingency funds would not be enough to revive Ele- mentary School 55 or sustain the $1.7 million a year it costs to operate the school. As of press time, district officials have not confirmed which schools would be candi- dates for closure or consolidation.
Fort Bend ISD projected enrollment through 2034-35 school year Enrollment Projected enrollment Accelerated growth projection
District officials have presented several options to balance out enrollment across the district, including:
Reduced growth projection
90K
The consolidation of 19 elementary campuses with less than 600 students each can save the district $12.6 million annually, according to Gibson Consulting. Guinn said land sales of closed campuses requires board approval and at least one year to begin receiving offers. A voter-approved bond would be immediate and would require that construction begin 18 months after the election, Guinn said.
74,467 83,207 80,246
79,726
77,756
80K
70K 60K
72,152
FOR SALE
0
SOURCE: POPULATION AND SURVEY ANALYST/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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