Richardson ISD could add 10 classrooms and eventually about 300 students to Forest Meadow Junior High School, located on Whitehurst in Lake Highlands.
Based on a zoning change application filed recently by Masterplan Consulting representing RISD, the new construction would add 14,700 square feet, 10 new classrooms and some additional parking. According to the paperwork, the school will continue to serve 7th and 8th graders and would add approximately 110 students immediately after the expansion is complete; in five years the total enrollment could be about 1,000. It currently is about 700 (according to RISD web site).
Essentially, MasterPlan works with the school districts to help them get zoning approvals necessary for new construction or expansions. The consultants have worked with both DISD and RISD on many projects. The proposal is expected to be heard at the Dallas Plan Commission meeting Aug. 13.
District spokesperson Tim Clark says Forest Meadow parents were informed about the expansion at the end of the school year.
The proposed expansion is part of the district’s response to increased enrollment in recent years, Clark tells us. “The district added physical classroom space at Stults Road and Aikin elementary schools last summer, is adding space at Forest Lane Academy and Skyview Elementary this summer, and is proposing to add space at Forest Meadow, Richland Elementary and Mohawk Elementary in advance of the 2014-15 school year.
“We are projecting enrollment growth to just over 39,000 students next year, which would mean overall district enrollment growth of about 12 percent since 2009-10.
“The schools that have been selected for physical expansion were based on several factors that included current and projected enrollment, the number of students currently unable to attend their attendance area school due to lack of space in a grade level, current use of existing space and the physical layout of the buildings and property.”
Clark says the timeline for construction hasn’t yet been determined, but he does not expect construction to impact traffic, students or parents during the upcoming school year.