KISDparent

I'm not sure where some of you are getting your info saying that KHS is more overcrowded than other high schools. Ok - it might be more overcrowded than KF (but I'd bet they'd argue that one). KHS's capacity is stated to be 3,462 and their 2007 enrollment was 3,279 - making them UNDER capacity by almost 200. KO's capacity is stated to be 2,761 and their 2007 enrollment was 3,163 - putting them OVER capacity by 400. KC's capacity is stated to be 3,015 and their 2007 enrollment was 3,204 - puttime the OVER capacity by almost 200. KISD does all schools a great injustice w/their capacity numbers. They get numbers by counting the available rooms and figuring the maximum each room can hold, and then you get capacity. Although many classes are full (some well over), not every class can be used to capacity, therefore those numbers are way off. Can you imagine how overcrowded KHS would be if you added 200 more kids there?? That's what KO is experiencing now. By the time HS#5 is ready, even with the district's 700 seat addition, KO will STILL be overcapacity by over 200 students. That is pathetic planning! Keep in mind that this projection is using low growth numbers. I would bet a lot that we will be above the low growth numbers in that part of the district - it will be a nightmare. No one is even talking about KC - which is sad. They aren't projected to receive any relief. Great for them, they have a nice, new school (it is pretty!), but with a capacity of 3,015, by the time they construct HS#6, which is the one set to give them relief, it will be 2016 or later, and their enrollment will be over 3,687 - again with those low growth numbers that are horribly inadequate. Finally, I'll go back to KHS. I graduated from there. I loved my school. If you tear down the main building, that IS the history, you may as well move the school. There's nothing special about that land. That is NOT where the original KHS was (which they've also torn down, no attempt to renovate that either). KHS is expected to be complete in 2011 (which I think is in no way possible) with a capacity of 3,500. Those at KHS feel they are overcrowded while they are under capacity now by 200 - how will you feel going back to your semi-new school being OVER capacity? Yes, with the low growth numbers, KHS will go to their semi-new school a whopping 40 students over capacity. Not much, but the number just gets bigger each year. I do think KHS needs a lot of work. I don't feel that "patching" is really the best option, but when you have serious overcrowding, it is the best option for now. Address our needs, then in the next bond (that I've heard has already been pushed to 3 years from now), rebuild parts of KHS, IF we've stayed in this low growth projection they are so confident of and don't need to address capacity issues. I can say that I would much rather my children go to KHS in it's current form (that I have recently seen) than go to KO with it's overcapacity problems!

Again, the current plans ONLY take down 4 buildings. The others you mention are not in the plans. Of course, they could get there and something could "accidentally" happen to another building - which wouldn't surprise me. That might explain why it's costing $132 million to rebuild 4 buildings - not even 1/2 of the KHS campus, yet it costs $130 to build a whole new HS elsewhere. Why not just build 2 new high schools, give one to KHS, save a few million now, truly help the overcrowded situations we have in the north, and either sell the KHS corner (bad corner for a HS) or make it into some type of multi-purpose facility for the whole district with great sports fields, ample parking, do whatever they want to the ag stuff... Wait - that would call for actual thinking and good planning. Oh well.

Having recently talked to Dr. Cain, the bond is not yet set in stone and won't be until early March. However, the "rebuild" of KHS seems to be top priority. Most people are unaware that their "rebuild" only consists of a few buildings. This has been stated at their steering committee meetings as well as other places Dr. Cain has spoken. The main building, Aux Gym, auditorium and small engine (I believe) are the ones to go. There was talk of the high rise going, but last I heard I was told no. Dr. Cain stated that he would love to hear input from community members about the bond. There are a number of those who are unhappy about it, but they are talking amongst themselves. Until our school board hears major concerns, nothing will change. He spoke at a community meeting last week and is doing another one tonight, I think in Memorial NW. He also says he is happy to come speak to any group, any size about these issues, just ask. If you'd like more info, I found it here... www.kleinforall.com They had links to the KISD website and bond info.