A community input meeting was held at Allen High School on Thursday night, in which the district explained its need to rezone school boundaries.
Allen ISD proposed an Attendance Boundary Adjustment that would close George J. Anderson Elementary and Rountree Elementary schools, with plans to turn Anderson into an early childhood campus and repurpose Rountree for future non-instructional use.
During the meeting, Deputy Superintendent Daniel Pitcock quieted the audience after a few outbursts, warning that they would be escorted out if disruption continued.
Parents were not given time to speak publicly but were given a sheet to fill out asking for input on the benefits and challenges of the proposal, along with any additional feedback.
District officials said they will review the input for consideration going forward.
Some parents were upset they were not allowed to voice their concerns over these proposed changes.
“This was supposed to be a voice for us, so we can publicly comment,” Chris Arnell said. “It kind of falls in line with the school’s behavior of not wanting to talk to the parents.”
Michelle Boren, another Allen ISD parent said, “Once again Allen ISD is trying to silence parents, they are not letting us speak at the meeting tonight.”
“They’ve given us input papers, which the very first question is, ‘What do you believe are the benefits of this specific proposal map?'” she said. “So, they want to know what we like about it? We don’t!”
The Attendance Boundary Adjustment can be found on the district website along with additional information. The rezoning would impact about 2,500 students, including 406 at Anderson and 350 at Rountree.
Many parents said the proposed plan would force them to make significant life changes.
Local parent Cebrin Billings said one of the main reasons she moved to Allen was to be able to walk her kids to school. If this plan passes, she will be unable to.
“Honestly, it was really disappointing. We love our kids, and we want them to get the best education and experience in school,” she said. “Any extra time they get not waiting in a car line or sitting on a bus is really important to us.”
Billings said this proposal would send her children, along with 400 others, to Olson Elementary, which is about two miles away.
“I’m not going to have my kids walk two miles to and from school,” she said. “Could they? Absolutely, but then we’re waking up earlier, they’re not getting as much sleep. I’m not okay with that. It’s across two busy streets.”
According to Allen ISD, these boundaries are being adjusted due to declining enrollment at several schools, growing enrollment at several other schools, a transition to full-day pre-kindergarten, and financial efficiency needs.
More information about the Attendance Boundary Adjustment process can be found in the following emails sent to parents and staff:
