EDUCATION
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Lone Star College System sets redistricting timeline OTHER STORIES TO FOLLOW IN 2022
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Humble ISDeyes potential 2022 bond referendum
The Lone Star College System board of trustees has approved a timeline for redistricting in 2022, which is expected to be completed in late June. The board is required to redistrict and complete the process 90 days before its November election. LSCS must redistrict every 10 years as new national census data is released to re ect population changes within its elected districts. During the meeting, the board of trustees approved an initial plan that will see the new districts adopted by June 30. Until that time, the board of trustees will meet monthly to discuss the process with its redistricting committee. An initial map is anticipated to be proposed and reviewed Feb. 9 for trustee and public feedback, which will be available on LSCS’s website. Redistricted maps will be amended and reviewed following the feedback in March and April, respectively, before being selected in May. There will be a public meeting June 8 before they are formally adopted on June 30. Pushing for better pay Guest teachers at Humble ISD will receive an additional $40 per day through May 27. Guess teachers who: • Have 60 or more college hours will earn $120 per day • Have a degree will earn $130 per day • Have a teaching certi cation will earn $140 per day • Are retired HISD teachers will Humble ISD extends additional pay for guest teachers Guest teachers in Humble ISD will continue to receive an extra $40 per day in pay through May 27, o cials announced in a Dec. 16 news release. Humble ISD trustees rst approved the temporary pay increase of an extra $40 per day in September due to challenges rising from the COVID-19 pandemic in the fall semester. The temporary pay was scheduled to end at the conclusion of the fall semester but has now been approved to be extended throughout the 2021-22 school year. Requirements to be a guest teacher include 60 or more college hours and a background check. Applications can be found at www.humbleisd.net. earn $175 per day SOURCE: HUMBLE ISD COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
BY WESLEY GARDNER
PREPARING FOR GROWTH The Humble ISD board of trustees will consider calling for a $750 million bond election in May. Here is the list of the proposals presented to trustees by the HISD 2021-22 Citizens Bond Advisory Committee. Technology allocation CTE allocation Projects
HUMBLE ISD The construction of Humble ISD Middle School No. 11 and the replacement of two campuses were among recommendations included in the HISD 2021-22 Citizens Bond Advisory Committee’s Jan. 11 presentation. The HISD board of trustees will have until Feb. 18 to determine whether to call for the bond referendum to ensure the item is included on the May 7 election ballot. As presented, the bond would total $750 million and be nanced over a seven-year period. According to Deputy Superintendent Roger Brown, the committee considered 30 potential projects for the bond plus allocations for technology, career and technical education facilities, and priority one and two facility assessments and repairs. Among the projects that received the most support from the committee included the construction of Middle School No. 11, additional classrooms at Summer Creek High School, continued renovations at Humble High School, the replacement of Ross Sterling Middle School and the addition of second practice gyms at all ve middle schools. Additional projects included the installation of turf at high school baseball and softball elds, improved daylight- ing at middle and elementary schools, dance rooms at nine middle schools and new playground equipment.
Priority one and priority two facility assessments and repairs
OPTION 1A
OPTION 1B
OPTION 1C
19 projects
17 projects
16 projects
TOTAL: $750M
TOTAL: $750M
TOTAL: $750M
Percent of support received from committee members
27%
57%
70%
SOURCE: HUMBLE ISD COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
NewCaney ISD completeswork on 2018 bond referendum
BY WESLEY GARDNER
The nal project included in the bond, which was listed as the district’s top priority, is the $110 million con- struction of West Fork High School. The new high school is scheduled to open in August near Kingwood Medical Center. “Opening a new high school is one of the most exciting things in public education, and we are fortunate to live in a community that is both grow- ing and super supportive of public schools,” Superintendent Matt Calvert said in a statement. O cials said the rst phase of that project will accommodate approx- imately 1,350 students, noting the school’s design accounts for a future expansion of up to 2,250 students. Woodridge Forest Middle School Principal Bridgett Heine was named principal of West Fork High School in February 2021. Scott Powers, NCISD executive director of public relations, said the timeline for a potential future bond is unclear. District o cials will review an impending demographic report before deciding how to proceed.
NEWCANEY ISD This year, New Caney ISD is poised to complete work on projects included in the district’s $200 million bond referendum, which was approved by voters in 2018. When the itemwas introduced in March 2018, district o cials said the bond was needed to address growth within the district. At that time, the district’s student population of 15,046 was nearly double the number of students the district housed in 2007. In the 2020-21 school year, NCISD’s stu- dent population was 16,274, according to the Texas Education Agency. The 2018 bond included four projects to address priority needs in the school district. Among the projects already completed are a $12 million endeavor to add 360 seats toWoodridge Forest Middle School and a $52 million e ort to replace and add 450 seats to Keefer Crossing Middle School. A $26 million project to replace and add 180 seats to Porter Elementary School is set to go out for bid this fall. O cials said the school is tentatively scheduled to reopen in fall 2024.
West Fork High School is slated to open in August. (Courtesy New Caney ISD)
WelcomingWest Fork The construction of West Fork High School was one of the main priorities included in New Caney ISD’s 2018 bond referendum. Location: 180 Sorters McClellan Road, Kingwood Project cost: $110 million School mascot: Gators School colors: Dark green and silver 2022 capacity: 1,350 students Future total capacity: 2,250 students
SOURCE: NEW CANEY ISD COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
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LAKE HOUSTON HUMBLE KINGWOOD EDITION • JANUARY 2022
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