A bond steering committee comprising parents, staff, and community members held its first meeting, Nov. 15, to consider how student enrollment growth informs the school district’s facilities outlook and the potential for a bond referendum in 2023.
New Caney ISD last presented a bond referendum to the community in 2018. That bond program funded the expansion of Woodridge Forest Middle School, the replacement of Keefer Crossing Middle School and Porter Elementary School, and the first phase of construction of West Fork High School. The replacement of Porter Elementary School is the only outstanding project from that bond program and is scheduled to be complete in the summer of 2024.
New Caney ISD commissioned a demographic study that was completed in 2022. Population and Survey Analysts (PASA) conducted the study and presented its findings to the Board of Trustees in April. The report presents low, moderate, and high growth scenarios. The moderate scenario projects nearly 4% annual enrollment growth over the next 10 years or an average growth of 790 students each year during that time. New Caney ISD’s student enrollment has increased by 21.6% over the last five years and by more than 7% in the last year.
“Population and student enrollment growth has been consistent in our community for quite a while now, and all indications are that it will continue,” Superintendent of Schools Matt Calvert said. “We want to be prepared for that growth. I appreciate our parents, staff, and community members for their work on our bond steering committee as we plan for the future.”