FBN Report: Emergency Relief Approved for Another School in Sienna Plantation to Reduce Over-Crowding

Fort Bend ISD Board Votes To Start Now On A New Sienna Elementary School
by Bob Dunn, Mar 26, 2007, 10 35 pm

Fort Bend Independent School District will proceed as soon as possible to build a new elementary school, to relieve overcrowding in existing elementaries in the Sienna Plantation area.

The FBISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously Monday evening to spend up to $17 million from the district’s general operations fund balance to build the school. Plans are to replenish the fund from proceeds of a bond referendum going before voters in November. . .

. . . As for the new Sienna Plantation elementary, it would relieve severe overcrowding at Scanlan Oaks and Sienna Crossing elementaries. According to district figures, Scanlan Oaks has a functional capacity of 738 students, but its actual enrollment is 1,061. Sienna Crossing’s functional capacity also is 738, but actual enrollment is 912 students.

Bryant said he favored building the school and relieve overcrowding, but wanted to make sure “we don’t open a Pandora’s box” by committing money from the fund balance. . .

. . . The board also voted to approve a contract submitted by Sienna/Johnson North L.P., developer of the Sienna Plantation community, under which the district would buy 12 acres northwest of Baines Middle School for another new elementary school. The price on the contract is $601,128, or $50,094 per acre.

And, the board approved a similar contract for a 9.634-acre elementary school site in the Aliana development, along the Grand Parkway, at a price tag of $461,622, or $47,916 per acre. (click the title link above for the entire story)

Background on this can be seen at: http://www.fortbendnow.com/news/2720/fbisd-trustees-may-pay-for-school-from-fund-balance-spend-1m-for-2-school-sites#c011205