NEISD Board to discuss Pre-K Academy at West Avenue

The letter below was sent to parents and staff on Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2018. It explains plans that are being presented to the Board of Trustees for consideration. The date and time of a community meeting is also detailed.

September 26, 2018

Dear West Avenue Parents/Guardians,

West Avenue Elementary School opened in 1964 at a time when student enrollment was growing in the area. Today, West Avenue Elementary is one of the smallest schools in North East ISD after an enrollment decline of 18 percent since 2013. The loss of students throughout NEISD has a direct and negative impact on our ability to properly fund our classrooms. Fewer students mean less money for the NEISD. Compounding the problem is the fact that the state legislature refuses to adequately fund traditional public schools. There is no new housing development planned in the school’s surrounding area to increase student enrollment.

Therefore, a proposal will go to the NEISD Board of Trustees on October 8 to transform West Avenue into a pre-kindergarten academy. This has been a difficult decision that NEISD staff has carefully made after lengthy review and discussion.

We have seen an increase in demand for full day pre-kindergarten in the District. Research shows that early intervention with children has a significant impact on their future success in academics. Rather than closing West Avenue Elementary, we will provide a high quality pre-kindergarten to families in our District at this facility to include after-school care. The pre-kindergarten academy will offer an enhanced academic curriculum.

West Avenue Elementary will continue to operate throughout the remainder of this school year. Beginning with the 2019-2020 school year, West Avenue students will be relocated to neighboring schools.  For current West Avenue students, a boundary change will be recommended using West Avenue (the street) as the dividing boundary between Dellview and Olmos elementary schools. Students residing east of West Avenue (the street) would attend Olmos Elementary School and Nimitz Middle School.  Students residing west of West Avenue (the street) would attend Dellview Elementary School and Jackson Middle School.

We have scheduled a community meeting to help answer your questions. This meeting will be held on:

Tuesday, October 2 at 6 p.m. at West Avenue Elementary School

We recognize the impact this decision has for our students, parents and staff.  Thank you for your support and understanding as we work together for the betterment of all students in North East ISD.

Sincerely,

Brian G. Gottardy, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools

Posted on 9-26-18