Planning for Growth

By Jeffrey B. "Jeff" Stone

A drive through the Norris District clearly shows that the growth is here. The district's enrollment this year increased by nearly 200 students, nearly a 10% increase from our ending enrollment for the 2001-2002 school year. Since 1998, enrollment has increased, and more importantly, the rate of that increase has accelerated every year. The outlook would indicate this trend would continue.

Even before the opening of the William B. Bimat campus in 2001, the Board had started to plan for the construction of the next school and also expanding the Middle School campus to prepare for enrollment growth in the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. With approximately 50% of the District's growth occurring at the Middle School grade levels, this is the most impacted school within the District.

Schools are expensive to construct. Elementary schools are approaching $8,000,000 in cost, and Middle Schools cost over double that amount due to the additional facilities required such as a gymnasium. The Board has always wanted to maintain supplemental programs to the core curriculum and would plan a campus with ample library space, computers, technology, and rooms to accommodate both vocal and instrumental music among other programs.

At its meeting on October 9, the Board approved a Resolution outlining the Districtwide Facilities Master Plan. This Resolution is designed to provide guidelines for school configuration as the District responds to continued housing development. The plan calls for the entire Calloway Road campus (Norris Middle and Norris Elem.) to become an expanded middle school with the conversion of the multi-purpose facility into a performing arts center, a new gymnasium, new cafeteria, and the ability to house and serve an enrollment of 1,000 students. The next campus to be constructed will be the relocation of the Norris Elementary School to a site already owned by the District south of Snow Road and west of Jewetta Avenue.

When fully built out, estimates are that total attendance within the Norris District will be nearly 6,000 students. The challenge will be in continuing the Norris tradition and the high expectations we have for students. Through planning and foresight, the future students of our District will be adequately housed, and have the opportunity for the excellence in education that Norris students are now so renowned for and that our community takes such pride in.