Boundary discussions: new middle school means new attendance zones for middle schoolers

The Ector County ISD Board of Trustees held its October Workshop on the 14th. A recap of the agenda is below.

1.      Roll Call.

2.      Verification of compliance with open meetings requirements.

3.      In opening comments, Superintendent Dr. Keeley Boyer reminded the Trustees that October is National Principals Month and we are celebrating them throughout the month. Dr. Boyer then turned the floor to Trustees Delma Abalos who expressed her sadness at the recent passing of former school district attorney Mike Atkins. She called him a good person with a great personality who guided the district well and she will miss him.

4.      There was no public comment.  

5.      Board Policy

A.      Trustees discussed proposed revisions to Board Policy CV (Local) Facilities Construction. Proposed changes include increasing the construction contract project amount requiring board approval from $50,000 to $100,000, this aligns our local policy to new expectations outlined in state law; adding language giving the superintendent the authority to approve job order contracting jobs, tasks, or purchase orders that are valued up to $100,000 and are entered into as part of a bond program giving administration the ability to complete bond projects in the most expeditious way; and delegates to the Superintendent or their designee the authority to approve change orders administered as part of a bond program.     

 

B.      Trustees discussed proposed revisions to Board Policy GKD (Local) Community Relations: Non-school use of school facilities. School facilities are available for use by community organizations for non-school purposes. This proposal would delete the text that limits any such agreement to a maximum of 24 moths.

 

6.      Reports

A.      Trustees discussed the most recent demographic study of Odessa and Ector County, and possible changes to middle school boundary zones. Using the study and enrollment information, Zonda Demographics offered Trustees an overview of the District along with recommendations for boundary updates.

Economic conditions show unemployment up very slightly (0 .3%) from last year and approximately 1,300 jobs added in the past 12 months. Home sales have been trending down over past two years as housing costs have risen dramatically. Apartment occupancy rates are 92-94%, above state and national averages (85-88%). Ector County’s population in 2024 was 170,806, Millennial’s (27.3%) make up the largest percentage of our population, with Gen Z next (26.6%). The median age is 33.6 and the median household income is $207,746. There are six actively building subdivisions and five other future subdivisions in planning stages. One area between Jordan Elementary and Buice Elementary has 378 lots developed and 348 future lots. Overall ECISD enrollment is down 159 students over past five years, most of that decline coming this year. A decline in birth rates, expansion of virtual school options, homeschools, vouchers, and new charter campuses point to a 10-year forecast with a slight decline (0.2%) in ECISD’s enrollment.

The discussion then turned to school boundaries. Because of the successful Bond 2023 election, a new middle school will open in west Odessa in August 2026. The new attendance zone for that school will mean adjusted attendance zones for all middle schools. When creating potential school boundaries, consideration is given to the schools’ locations, building attendance zones that are contiguous (meaning it is all connected), the most efficient routing of bus transportation, and major roads and railroad tracks. The goal of any rezoning effort is to allow students to attend a neighborhood school, to reduce travel time, and to even out enrollment between the schools as much as possible. Zonda presented four (4) initial proposals for new middle school attendance zones (shown below). All serve as a starting point for Trustees to consider.

This meeting was just the beginning of the decision-making process. The board will look at this further and refine the maps and will schedule town hall opportunities for families to view map options and provide input. A decision is expected to be made in February.

 

7.      There was no closed session.

8.      There were no closing remarks.

9.      The meeting adjourned at 7:32 p.m.