Photo courtesy of fwisd.com.
Fort Worth ISD announced a statement from Superintendent Kent Scribner today regarding the ongoing debate surrounding the overcrowding at Tanglewood Elementary School.
“... at next Tuesday's board meeting, I will recommend that the District undertake the building of a new K-5 school in the Tanglewood attendance zone, while continuing much-needed improvements to the current Tanglewood Elementary,” Scribner said in a statement. (Read the full statement below).
The school district has been battling the issue of overcrowding at Tanglewood Elementary for years. With 870 enrolled students on a campus that was built to accommodate less than 600, (the school has been forced to utilize portable buildings) the student to teacher ratio is significantly higher than the average in Texas. Scribner originally explored three different options, which included taking over the existing Alice Carlson Applied Learning Center campus — an idea that was met with much resistance. A second option explored the building of an entirely new campus to accommodate the growing number of households in the area thanks to the new Edwards Ranch development. This plan was also met with some resistance, largely due to homeowners fear that a boundary change would affect both their child's school and property values. A third option included expanding the current campus.
Scribner said the location of the campus is still to-be-determined, but will likely be west of Hulen street. He also added that the attendance zone will be created within the lines of the existing Tanglewood Elementary School boundary. He did not address in the statement whether he plans to propose giving preference to Tanglewood-zone families in admission to Alice Carlson, which is in the Tanglewood boundary but doesn't have a neighborhood zone and admits students through a lottery system.
Read the full statement here.
For the past few months our community has examined several options regarding overcrowding at Tanglewood Elementary School.
First, we are profoundly appreciative of everyone who has shared their thoughts. Over the past three months you have provided us with your opinions, perspectives, and rationales. Many of you have written emails to our Feedback forum. Others have taken surveys and participated in more informal gatherings. I am very grateful for all of you who have brought thoughtful and informed remarks.
As I've said, this is not an “either/or” consideration. As our community grows and prospers, it's a “both/and” scenario. I also made a promise to share this decision with you in advance of the second board meeting in June.
Therefore, at next Tuesday's board meeting, I will recommend that the District undertake the building of a new K-5 school in the Tanglewood attendance zone, while continuing much-needed improvements to the current Tanglewood Elementary.
The new school will reflect the same culture, climate, and commitment that make Tanglewood Elementary an exemplary campus. As we go forward, I will fulfill my pledge to meet with neighborhood associations and families to aid us in determining boundary lines for the new school.
· This state of the art campus will relieve overcrowding.
· The location is still to be determined, but likely west of Hulen.
· The attendance zone will be created within the lines of the existing Tanglewood boundary.
Again, I am grateful for your continued input and support and look forward to working with you in the future.
