Allen ISD held its second meeting of Project Kids, the bond advisory committee, on February 29th at Curtis Middle School. The 80-member committee received information from presenters on several areas, including:
SOAR 2030 Strategic Vision
An explanation was provided on the specific targets in Allen ISD’s strategic visioning document that guide the District’s facility design choices to ensure students develop readily employable skills in a competitive work environment. Those targets include:
Cultivate a culture of high standards for curriculum and instruction. (2.2 High Expectations)
Provide educational, collaborative, and technological opportunities for students to develop readily employable skills in a competitive environment (4.1 Life and Workforce Ready)
Provide an environment that promotes a collaborative culture to optimize learning and provide engaging experiences that meet the unique needs of all learners. (5.1 Challenging, Creative, and Collaborative Learning Opportunities)
Provide a technology-rich environment that supports creativity, innovation, and risk-taking to enhance learning. (6.1 Leverage Technology)
Provide a safe environment for learning to take place, incorporate opportunities for activities that enhance and encourage physical health, and offer curriculum addressing the importance of exercise, nutrition, and overall physical health. (9.1 Whole Child)
Review of Long-Range Facility Plan Committee
Information was provided on the Long-Range Facility Plan Committee that met in the Fall of 2023. Information was shared on the assessment of current facilities and the proposed projects and timeline approved by the committee. The three facilities that were recommended for additional consideration by the committee were highlighted: Ford Middle School, Anderson Early Childhood School, and the Allen ISD Activity Complex.
Demographic Update
An update was provided on enrollment trends and forecasts in Allen ISD. The District, which is no longer in a growth phase, has changing demographics that are based on a variety of factors including census data that shows an increasing number of households with fewer children and older residents. Other influences include affordability challenges such as higher interest rates, the decline in the availability of single-family residential lots, and the construction of more affordable neighborhoods in high-growth areas outside the district’s boundaries.
Committee members had the opportunity to discuss these topics amongst themselves, as well as ask questions of District Leadership.