Paschal Pyramid Community Meeting
The FWISD Board of Trustees held a Community Meeting to discuss a proposal to combine the McLean 6th and McLean Middle School campuses on Monday, August 19. The proposal no longer includes Daggett Middle School. McLean campuses are part of the bond program. Click below to view the presentation.
Paschal Families Community Presentation
Presentación de la reunión comunitaria de las familias del área paschal
- Paschal Pyramid FAQs
- Potential Middle School Consolidation FAQs
- Spring 2024 Community Listening Sessions Archive
Paschal Pyramid FAQs
Academics
- How will community be fostered in a combined campus?
- Will this impact curriculum, specifically honors?
- How will the district help schools transition administrators, teachers, and students smoothly?
- How will merging the schools improve math and reading scores?
- What is the educational benefit?
- What research has FWISD done to address this major drawback to combining 6th graders with 7th and 8th graders?
- What evidence is used that a larger school will lead to academic performance and success?
- How will FWISD prevent the deterioration of teachers, administrators, and other staff at the campus that will close?
- A nationwide study in the 2000’s indicated that large MS campuses lead to students feeling unsafe, unsupported, and without a sense of community. With such a large number of students, who will FWISD work towards preventing those bad outcomes?
- Will the efficiency of one site allow for increased funding for more teachers to improve student to teacher ratio?
- Will there be shared administration? Increased administration?
- Will students share specials across grades?
- When will the TEA take over Fort Worth ISD?
How will community be fostered in a combined campus?
Community is fostered on a campus through student, parent and community partnerships. Campus Leadership would work diligently to foster communication amongst stakeholders and create opportunities for students and families to become actively involved and engaged at the campus. Fort Worth ISD principals and staff are expertly trained in building community, uplifting students, and connecting with families. The district has the highest faith in their ability to do this.
Will this impact curriculum, specifically honors?
How will the district help schools transition administrators, teachers, and students smoothly?
We have successfully transitioned schools in previous years when we opened new buildings or when we consolidated other 6th grade centers. The district will work to provide the same support and services for this transition as well, should the board make the decision to combine campuses. A transition plan will begin one year in advance of the move to prepare students, staff and parents for the transition.
How will merging the schools improve math and reading scores?
Combining the expertise and resources of the teachers and staff of these campuses will give them an opportunity to work together for the betterment of the education of all kids. The district will continue to provide support to teachers and staff. Teachers will likely only need to teach one grade level instead of splitting to teach two core subjects in two different grade levels. If campuses are merged, planning practices will be strengthened to allow for a team of teachers (3-5) to engage in Professional Learning Communities each week to ensure strategies and practices are aligned.
What is the educational benefit?
By eliminating an additional transition, the 6th graders would benefit from staying on campus for three years to help them prepare for high school years. If students have the opportunity to be around 7th and 8th graders, it can help them advance socially and academically. The merger will also allow for teachers to plan with other teachers in the same content area. Robust elective programming may be offered and sustained.
What research has FWISD done to address this major drawback to combining 6th graders with 7th and 8th graders?
What evidence is used that a larger school will lead to academic performance and success?
Research (John Hattie) within the past two decades has shown class size to have a positive impact. District Learning and Leading efforts will continue to focus on improving the quality of Tier 1 instruction districtwide geared toward coaching and supporting all staff to collaborate and continuously measure their impact for improvement, which has been proven to result in improved academic achievement. Our goal is to focus on growth and progress for each student and performance indicators that emphasize giving teachers immediate, actionable feedback to improve teaching.
How will FWISD prevent the deterioration of teachers, administrators, and other staff at the campus that will close?
We understand that culture is an important factor for all staff across our district and remain committed to support each other and provide opportunities for transparency and inclusivity so that each member of the FWISD family is aware of the value they bring to the team in service to our students, families and each other.
A nationwide study in the 2000’s indicated that large MS campuses lead to students feeling unsafe, unsupported, and without a sense of community. With such a large number of students, who will FWISD work towards preventing those bad outcomes?
The Learning and Leading team will continue efforts to support the effectiveness of all our middle schools by ensuring that classroom organization and staffing patterns support the needs of our students, develop and implement appropriate curricula to support core subjects, providing access to enrichment and elective courses to support student engagement, and schedule structured advisory periods to support student connectedness and include common planning time for teachers to plan instruction collaboratively.
Will the efficiency of one site allow for increased funding for more teachers to improve student to teacher ratio?
Will there be shared administration? Increased administration?
Will students share specials across grades?
When will the TEA take over Fort Worth ISD?
Data/District
- What criteria is used to evaluate a go/no-go on this feasibility study?
- Does FWISD have data on why enrollment is declining?
- Where will the money go with the sale of the land?
- Have we considered how many students might leave if campuses are combined?
- Do the projected enrollment numbers account for the effect of a state voucher program being implemented?
- How certain are you on population projections? Where did the data come from?
What criteria is used to evaluate a go/no-go on this feasibility study?
Does FWISD have data on why enrollment is declining?
FWISD has been experiencing a decline of enrollment before the Covid pandemic. The decline is due to multiple factors, but two that we are able to identify are decrease in birth rate and increase of charter campuses within FWISD attendance boundaries.
The decline in enrollment starts in the elementary years, and now our secondary campuses are starting to see the impact through subsequent enrollment years. Charter schools usually open their campuses to enroll grades K-2 and then add a grade level each year.
Fort Worth ISD also attempted to reach out to parents who did not return to the district for the 2023-24 school year. Staff made phone calls to the parents to collect data for not only the reason for their students not returning, but also where their student would be attending school for the year.
Where will the money go with the sale of the land?
Have we considered how many students might leave if campuses are combined?
Do the projected enrollment numbers account for the effect of a state voucher program being implemented?
How certain are you on population projections? Where did the data come from?
The enrollment forecasts are produced using information from both internal (historical trends, program shifts) and external (housing/development data, charter impacts) sources. FWISD has managed the projection process internally in recent years but occasionally engages vendors/firms for an outside perspective. Refreshed enrollment projections are within the scope of the district's Facility Master Plan consultant (HPM).
Facilities
- Could you talk about what would not be renovated in McLean Middle School if we continue with renovations versus new school?
- Where will students go to school during construction?
- Would 6th grade be kept separate within the renovated building?
- What is the difference in square footage per student if one building is built versus the current buildings in place?
- All of the “pain points” stated at this campus (McLean Middle) were addressed with renovation at Paschal HS and Stripling MS. Why not renovate this campus and add-on as needed? Seems to be an irresponsible use of resources.
- Will this be put up for a public vote? If not, why?
- How is it legal to change the plans from what was proposed when we voted on the bond in 2021?
- We voted for renovations not adding kids and demoing. Why the change?
- Will you have a team of McLean MS staff and/or parents part of the design team?
- Is a fire lane ring road required?
- Was there a feasibility study done for renovations? What does that each look like?
- How will construction impact students? (Outside time, sports, noise, etc.)
- What if the money isn’t enough to cover renovations? Who will pay for the overruns?
- What is the plan if the renovated school reachers capacity?
- How will you ensure the materials chosen are high-quality?
- If this moves forward, would you consider putting together a community parent group to give input throughout the process?
- If renovation plan moves forward, how disruptive will it be for current students?
- Will there be a dedicated 6th grade wing?
- Could other feasibility studies be done?
Could you talk about what would not be renovated in McLean Middle School if we continue with renovations versus new school?
The following project priorities were identified for middle school renovations:
-
Security & Life Safety
-
Building Envelope (roof, windows, doors, etc.)
-
Learning Environments
-
Systems & Components
-
Capacity
Bond 2021 construction budgets for each campus will focus on the above priorities, addressing as many deficiencies as the budget will allow. In no instance is there enough funding available to address every deficiency or pain point that exists.
Where will students go to school during construction?
Would 6th grade be kept separate within the renovated building?
What is the difference in square footage per student if one building is built versus the current buildings in place?
TEA Facility Standards establish the requirements for new construction and are specific to each instructional and common area within a school building. A middle school classroom must include a minimum of 32 square feet per student. With a student to teacher ratio of 28:1, this equates to classrooms sized at a minimum of 896 square feet.
The earliest facility standards available on the TEA website apply to campuses built between 1992 and 1994. At that time, the minimum square footage for a middle school campus was 700 square feet.
The average square footage of classrooms for campuses under consideration is:
- McLean 6 - 714
- McLean MS - 697
All of the “pain points” stated at this campus (McLean Middle) were addressed with renovation at Paschal HS and Stripling MS. Why not renovate this campus and add-on as needed? Seems to be an irresponsible use of resources.
All of the pain points addressed in the presentation regarding the McLean MS campus cannot be addressed with the current budget; however, we will work to address as many as possible if renovations continue.
We appreciate the community’s support of the 2017 bond and the impact the dollars had at Paschal HS. Bond 2017 funds were utilized to address as many deficiencies/pain points as possible; however, funding was insufficient to address every identified need.
This is also true of planned renovations of Stripling MS. The district is grateful of the community’s support of the 2021 bond as renovations to middle school campuses would not be possible without the community’s commitment to improved educational facilities; however, available funding is insufficient to address all identified needs.
Will this be put up for a public vote? If not, why?
How is it legal to change the plans from what was proposed when we voted on the bond in 2021?
We voted for renovations not adding kids and demoing. Why the change?
Will you have a team of McLean MS staff and/or parents part of the design team?
Is a fire lane ring road required?
Was there a feasibility study done for renovations? What does that each look like?
How will construction impact students? (Outside time, sports, noise, etc.)
What if the money isn’t enough to cover renovations? Who will pay for the overruns?
What is the plan if the renovated school reachers capacity?
How will you ensure the materials chosen are high-quality?
If this moves forward, would you consider putting together a community parent group to give input throughout the process?
If renovation plan moves forward, how disruptive will it be for current students?
Will there be a dedicated 6th grade wing?
Could other feasibility studies be done?
Potential Middle School Consolidation FAQs
Spring 2024 Community Listening Sessions Archive
Fort Worth ISD Board of Trustees to Host Community Meetings on Middle Schools Affected by 2021 Bond Program
The Board is Hosting Meetings at Kirkpatrick, JP Elder, McLean, Daggett, Morningside, andWilliam James Middle Schools
The Fort Worth ISD Board of Trustees will begin the process of hosting community listening sessions with the families and students impacted by the bond program and the Capital Improvement Program.
The Trustees are engaging with parents and staff at the following middle schools to receive their feedback before making final decisions on how the bond program will be utilized:
Location | Date | Time | Presentation |
McLean Middle School |
Wednesday, 4/3/24 | 6:30 PM | Learn More Más información |
Kirkpatrick Middle School |
Monday, 4/8/24 | 6:30 PM | Learn More Más información |
Morningside Middle School |
Thursday, 4/11/24 | 6:00 PM | Learn More Más información |
William James Middle School |
Wednesday, 4/17/24 | 6:30 PM | Learn More Más información |
Daggett Middle School |
Thursday, 4/18/24 | 6:00 PM | Learn More Más información |
JP Elder Middle School |
Monday, 4/22/24 | 6:00 PM | Learn More Más información |
Families will receive communication directly on meeting options.The 2021 bond and the Capital Improvement Program are a combined $1.2 billion dollar package aimed at improving facilities in Fort Worth ISD. The efforts largely focus on middle school campuses across the district to give students a better learning experience, reflect district enrollment trends, and improve security.
Potential changes impacting these campuses would not happen until the 2027-28 school year at the earliest. The Board of Trustees is seeking input at this time before making a final decision.