Demographer's Report

The district's demographer will be updating Trustees tonight on the latest enrollment projections for the 2010-2011 school year. As the Carroll community ages, growth has actually tapered off and less students are expected to be enrolled in August than the previous year. The news doesn't come as much of a surprise to school officials who have known for some time that the struggling economy and fewer home starts in Southlake would eventually have a significant impact on the district's student population.
Already this year, CISD is experiencing a 100-student shortfall in the number of K-12 students projected to be enrolled for the current school year. Officials say that not only affects staffing levels, but also state funding. CISD receives about $6,000 per student in state revenues. Having 100 less students than expected means a budget shortfall of more than $600,000. That deficit must be added to the $3.4 million Trustees are already expecting to take from the Fund Balance to cover this year's operating expenses.
Demographer Rocky Gardiner form Templeton Demographics, LLC will be at tonight's Carroll School Board meeting to not only share the pending forecast, but also a 10-year projection. Gardiner will explain to Trustees that Durham Intermediate and Carroll Senior High School may be the only campuses with enrollment gains during the 2010-2011 school year. Most campuses are expected to decline as larger classes exit and move through the system.
A total of 7,831 students were enrolled in 2007-2008. That grew by only eight students in 2008-2009, with a 112-student drop so far during the current year. Templeton officials are predicting another 90-student drop before October, bringing the 2010-2011 projection to 7,637 students. The largest drops are expected at Carroll High School (-62), Carroll Elementary (-28), Johnson Elementary (-23) and Dawson Middle School (-23) as those campuses have larger existing classes than those new classes entering.
The pending enrollment projections are no cause for panic according to school officials. The news of the slower growth rate was expected to some extent. Still, officials say they will watch trends carefully before making final decisions on all the 2009 bond projects. Most of the projects, according to school staff, provide amenities and space for the existing student population, not future students. In fact, both new campuses are replacement schools, designed to modernize buildings and technology, while freeing up overcrowding at Durham Elementary and Johnson Elementary schools.
New construction at Carroll Senior High will go on as planned, including construction of art facilities, an auxiliary gym, student parking and locker/dressing room space.
Planned security entrances at each of the CISD campuses will also move forward, as will a 1,600-seat expansion at Dragon Stadium that provides a technology disaster recovery site for the district.
School officials say the projects that have not yet started - classroom expansions at Old Union Elementary, Eubanks Intermediate, Dawson Middle School and Carroll High School, will be reviewed carefully in light of the new enrollment data. It may be too soon to tell, however, just how much of that additional space will be necessary.
Very soon, CISD will publish a 2009 Bond Project Update, giving local taxpayers and parents a look at work to date, as well as the enrollment projections and how they affect ongoing construction.
Stay tuned to the CISD website for more complete information on the 2010 Demographer's Report. A complete Board Meeting Summary will be available for Dragon families after tonight's School Board meeting.

Dragon Fun Alert!

Carroll Independent School District will be closed for Spring Break March 15-19. We hope all of our Dragons have a fun, safe and relaxing time off! Be ready to hit the books again March 22!!!!!

Dragons Go Green

Carroll students and staff will celebrate Texas Public Schools Week March 22-26 with a Get Your Green On theme. Open houses will be held at the elementary and intermediate school campuses on Tuesday, March 23 and/or Thursday, March 25. Check the district website for exact times and dates at each campus.

Students in Kindergarten through sixth grades are encouraged to go on our website to print out the Dragons R Green Pledge. Once the student and his/her family have reviewed the pledge, it should be signed and brought to Southlake Town Square Saturday, March 27 between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. for Southlake Green Day. The signed pledge will make the student eligible for drawings for seven different bicycles throughout the day. Southlake Green Day will feature guest speakers, booths with information about green strategies, etc.

Students in grades 7-12 are encouraged to participate in an essay contest for scholarship money. Middle school students will compete against one another. Contest rules are on the district's website. The deadline to postmark your essay of 750 words is March 12. First place wins a $1,000 savings bond. Second place wins a $500 savings bond.

In the 9-12 grade competition, students must submit a 1,000-word essay for a $1,000 first place prize and a $500 second place prize. The essay theme is "My Part In Protecting The Environment." Sponsored by Natex Architects, Inc., Carroll ISD and Southlake GreenFellows, Inc. the contest is in its first year.

To learn more about Carroll ISD's green strategies, visit our Dragons Go Green website!