While some large school districts in North Texas, like Arlington, Fort Worth, Plano and Richardson have experienced a decline in student enrollment recently, Argyle Independent School District is booming.
With a marked increase in new home construction and a projected enrollment doubling to over 10,000 students in ten years, the district has put a $512 million bond package on the ballot which aims to address its expansion needs.
"Our district is experiencing significant growth," AISD Superintendent Dr. Courtney Carpenter says. "Argyle ISD can see consistent growth of its student population over the next decade."
A bond and growth planning committee, made up of 50 community members, convened six times through the fall and winter and determined the need for a 10-year strategic growth program, diverging from previous bonds that focused on short-term projects.
All the bond projects could be accomplished without increasing the current property tax rate of $1.21 per $100 valuation.
According to DFWMoves.com, the median list price for a home in the Argyle ISD as of April 19 was $685,859.
Growth
The rapid escalation of student numbers, a byproduct of the booming housing market in North Texas, has heightened the urgency for the district's strategic growth. In the second quarter of 2023, Argyle ISD observed the highest number of new home starts in its history.
"We’ve seen Argyle grow in all areas from new businesses and housing developments to its fast-growth public school district," says real estate agent Edson Miranda with Miranda Realty Team, based in Argyle. "With more housing and commercial developments on the way the district enrollment is projected to surpass 10,000 students in 10 years. Bond 2024 is a long-range plan to help AISD manage the fast growth in our district."
The proposed bond package has been parsed into three propositions.
Proposition A - $482,385,000
This proposition focuses on meeting the classroom and instructional space needs due to enrollment growth at various educational levels within the district.
Key components include:
-Construction of a new middle school intended to serve 6th through 8th grade, with a capacity for 1,200 students.
-Construction of a new elementary school.
-Expansion plans for a second high school that would serve grades 9 through 12. The second high school is planned to open when Argyle High School reaches 2,700 students.-Additional capital improvements across the district.
-Land acquisition for future facility needs.
Proposition B - $22,655,000
This proposition is centered on enhancing extracurricular facilities.
It includes the development of a competition-level baseball and softball complex at Argyle High School located in Canyon Falls. The teams currently play at a facility located at Argyle Middle School.
Proposition C - $6,500,000
This proposition aims to upgrade technology resources to support the district's educational needs.
It involves:
-New technology devices for secondary students in grades 6 through 12.
-Support for maintaining a 1-to-1 technology program that ensures every student has access to individual technology devices.
Voting
Early voting for the May 4 election begins Monday, April 22, and closes on April 30. Election day is Saturday, May 4.
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Tell your Smart Speaker to "PLAY 1080 KRLD"
Sign Up to receive our KRLD Insider Newsletter for more news
Follow us on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube