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District to restrict enrollment at two elementary schools next year
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Citing concerns about overcrowding, the Goose Creek CISD Board of Trustees on Thursday, April 26 voted to restrict some new student enrollment at Victoria Walker Elementary School and Harlem Elementary School, beginning with the 2012-2013 school year and subsequent school years. The restrictions do not affect existing students, pre-kindergarten or kindergarten students in the current Walker and Harlem school zones. Furthermore, siblings of students enrolled at Walker and Harlem will be allowed to join their brothers and sisters at the school. The area north of Interstate 10 has seen explosive growth in home-building. Enrollments at Walker and Harlem elementary schools have exceeded projections. |
Furthermore, Goose Creek CISD administrators have
determined that continuing to enroll students at Walker and Harlem for
the next school year will cause safety concerns. “We have an immediate challenge, and it has to be solved,” said Goose Creek CISD Superintendent Dr. Toby York. “These adjustments will give us some relief until plans can be made for a new elementary school. “The enrollment restrictions at Walker and Harlem will ensure student safety, effective and efficient use of school facilities, and accommodate projected growth patterns. Our issue now is how we can make the best of this situation. |
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| Harlem Elementary The functional capacity of Harlem Elementary is 764 students. The current enrollment at Harlem Elementary is 1009 and the projection for the fall of 2012 is expected to rise. Goose Creek CISD employees have completed an assessment of the facility and determined that the infrastructure will accommodate approximately 1,000 students that include the addition of three double-wide portable buildings. District officials have determined that continuing to enroll students for the 2012-2013 school year may cause safety concerns. Therefore, the following changes will be in place next school year:
All other newly enrolled students will attend W.B. Travis Elementary. This will help alleviate high enrollment at Harlem Elementary. See map here. Principal Matt Warford believes that this plan will accommodate his concerns for safety, security, and instruction. Mr. Warford wants to make sure that parents realize that the decisions were made in the best interests of students. “The teachers and children are doing very well because our teachers work so hard at making their environment welcoming and child-friendly,” Mr. Warford said. “Our teachers can rise to the occasion and do what they need to do for the benefit of the kids.” For additional information please call Dr. Patty Bing, Director of Student Services, at (281) 420-4861. |
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Victoria Walker Elementary Victoria Walker Elementary School opened its doors for the 2007-2008 school year. The functional capacity of the building is 903 students. The current enrollment at Victoria Walker is 991 and the projection for the fall of 2012 is 1,013. Goose Creek CISD employees have completed an assessment of the facility and determined that the infrastructure will accommodate approximately 1,050 students that include the addition of five double-wide portable buildings. District officials have determined that continuing to enroll students for the 2012-2013 school year may cause safety concerns. Therefore, the following changes will be in place next school year:
All other newly enrolled students will attend another elementary school in Goose Creek CISD as determined by home address. The plan creates three new attendance areas where students will attend Highlands, Crockett or Alamo elementary schools. See map here. These adjustments will help alleviate high enrollment at Victoria Walker Elementary. Principal Renee Meyer believes that this plan will accommodate her concerns for safety, security, and instruction. “Victoria Walker embraces all students, however, structural capacities limit our ability to manage such a large number of students,” she said. “One of the things we’ve had in our school is unpredictable growth,” Mrs. Meyer said. "Capping enrollment would provide stability we haven't had in a while.” Mrs. Meyer wants to make sure that parents realize that the decisions were made in the best interests of students. She said Highlands, Crockett and Alamo also offer a quality education. Despite the crowding problem, Mrs. Meyer is confident that she can maintain the school’s excellent reputation. “Walker has great programs and is a great school, and we will continue to do great work for the students,” she said. For additional information, please call Dr. Patty Bing, Director of Student Services, at 281-420-4861. |
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