Wichita Falls Independent School District officials presented proposed elementary attendance-zone changes and a plan to relocate the district bilingual program, prompting multiple parents to request more transparency and options for established students.

District officials told the board the proposals are part of the long-range facility plan to reopen McNeil Elementary after a full renovation and to better align capacity across campuses. The superintendent and staff said the redistricting work is intended to make more efficient use of facilities amid shifting enrollment and to place programs where space is appropriate.

The proposal would close Jefferson Elementary and open McNeil with a capacity around 900; other adjustments would move portions of Crockett, Fowler and part of West Foundation attendance areas into McNeil. Staff said McNeil would be reconfigured into grade-level pods with dedicated kindergarten spaces and a STEAM center. The presentation included a PDF map posted on the district website and a public survey open through Nov. 6; final board discussion is scheduled for Nov. 10 with potential action Nov. 17.

Why it matters: The changes affect where elementary students attend, how transportation is provided, and where district special programs are located. Staff said the shifts aim to reduce the number of campuses the district operates and to lower facility costs while improving classroom design and special education space.

Parents at the meeting urged changes in how the district communicates and asked for options for students already established at their schools. Monica Solis, who identified herself as a parent at Southern Hills Elementary, said parents were not given sufficient notice about a decision "for Third Future to take over the school" and that the bilingual community feels "uprooted" and anxious. "Lack of transparency does not equate to trust," she told the board.

Other parents described specific concerns. Sarah Ladd, whose kindergartner attends Fowler Elementary, asked the board to "consider leaving the Fowler zone as it is" so children already integrated into Fowler's instruction and special services can remain. Megan Lucas, also a Southern Hills parent, urged the district to give Southern Hills more time before turning the campus over to Third Future Schools, citing what she described as problems she observed at a middle school operated by that provider and concerns about staff training for students with autism and ADHD.

District staff addressed common questions in the presentation: teachers would not lose jobs as a result of the rezone because staffing is adjusted across the district classroom-by-classroom under class-size rules; busing would be provided where walking routes exceed hazardous-route thresholds; and specialized programs now at Jefferson would be relocated to McNeil in updated facilities. Staff said they have spoken with the city about adding crosswalks, signage and crossing guards near McNeil.

On the bilingual program specifically, staff described a proposal to move the bilingual program from Southern Hills to Fain Elementary, while offering families the option to keep their children at Southern Hills under Third Future’s operation or to move with the bilingual program to Fain. Staff said the district identified roughly 157 bilingual students at Southern Hills and about 193 students in the Professional Drive area who would be rezoned if the plan moves forward; they said Fain has capacity to receive the program.

Next steps: The district will accept public feedback through Nov. 6, present survey results Nov. 10 and the board may consider final action Nov. 17. Staff asked that parents raise specific questions via email or the district feedback form so the administration can respond before the decision.

Ending: Board members asked staff to continue community outreach; staff said they will publish the survey results and follow up on transportation and safety questions.