An Open Letter to Tomball ISD Board of Trustees

An Open Letter to Tomball ISD Board of Trustees

First, I would like to thank each of your for your time and effort you have committed to Tomball ISD and to our childrens education.

The future of Tomball ISD is important to me, as I have three children either already attending or about to attend various schools in Tomball. Therefore, I did what every parent should do if they want a say in the future of their children, I got involved. I have spent the last few months as a member of the subcommittee on Student Growth as a part of the overall facilities study currently in process. It has been, at times, a frustrating experience, but very educational.

As the subcommittee on Student Growth puts the finishing touches on our proposal to be submitted to the Steering Committee, I wanted to let you know some of my concerns. I applaud Tomball ISD for engaging the members of the community to be a part of this process. It allows the community to have an influence on our children’s future and ensures that our children will have adequate facilities to help them be successful academically and in extracurricular areas as well. However, I understand our input is a recommendation and nothing more. Our proposal will be presented to the Steering Committee and eventually to you, the Board of Trustees. Based on the results of the last Facilities Study, it is likely that the final proposal, which will eventually be voted on in a bond election, will look nothing like our original proposal.

Typically, the response to this problem would be to vote down the bond proposal and hope to have it rewritten to better meet the needs of the district. However, due to the failure of the District Administration to begin the Facilities Study process in the recommended 5 year time frame, we will have a huge over crowding problem in our district if the bond does not pass. It is imperative that we get this right the first time. In my opinion, a bond proposal that does not include a New High school at the Shaw road location will fail. This will delay the bond at least 6 months until the November election. This will jeopardize our ability to provide much needed elementary schools by the 2009-10 school year. Enrollment at Lakewood Elementary would be 375 students over the operational capacity, Willow Creek would be over by 341, Rosehill over by 86 students, and Decker Prairie over by 50 students.

As you can see, our elementary schools will have expanded well beyond their capacity over the next two years. If a passable bond proposal is not on the ballot in May of 2007, the education of our children will suffer. During the Facility Study process, it became apparent that there was an overwhelming majority in the District in support of a new high school in Tomball. It is that same majority that will ensure a successful bond election in May.

Once again, I appreciate everything you have done and will continue to do in the future. I am sure you and your colleagues will develop a Bond proposal that addresses all the issues facing Tomball ISD today and in the near future.


Thanks again,

Thomas C. Young