Pasadena ISD says bond would ease crowding at middle schools

The Pasadena ISD has proposed a $270.1 million bond to further implement the Middle School Concept began in 2004 and reduce overcrowding.

The proposal is the result of the Future Facilities Committee, a group of 50 community members and parents who examined enrollment projections and analyzed the districts needs. According to PISD, the bond would aid in following the committee's recommendation for three new middle schools, which would complete the Middle School Concept from 2004.

The proposed schools would serve the Park View and Queens intermediate feeder schools, with a third school in the Melillo and Lomax middle school area. The school district says that these additions would help ease overcrowding by expanding the Middle School Concept, which has already had an impact on the schools it has affected.

The school district believes that middle schools are vital to student growth because they provide a place for students to transition from elementary to high school that can help eliminate negative peer pressure. Middle school also helps students adjust to the changing demands that will be placed on them.

Voting for the bond will be on Nov. 8. Prior to that there are four public forums at the districts five high schools: 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 15, South Houston High; 6:30 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 19, at Dobie High; 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 21, at Pasadena High; and 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 11, at Memorial High.

For more information on the district's proposed bond, call 713-740-0247 or visit www1.pasadenaisd.org/schoolbond2011.