| December 1999 | |
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A publication for alumni of the Pasadena Independent School District |
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Bond issue will address |
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| Facing the largest growth spurt since the 1960s
prompted the Pasadena Independent School District's Board of Trustees to call a $199.05
million bond election for Feb. 12, 2000. Demographic projections provided earlier this year by Texas School Planning, Inc., showed more than 5,000 new students in Pasadena ISD over the next seven to 10 years, a figure that district officials now believe could be too low. "We've not seen growth like this in Pasadena ISD since the South Belt area was first developed in the 1960s. There is a tidal wave of new students expected to hit our district in the next few years," said Superintendent Dr. Rick Schneider. With more than 41,900 students currently enrolled, projections indicate the district's student population could surpass 47,000 in the next decade. |
"We're seeing new housing developments on
the drawing board that were not considered by the demographer when he conducted his study
a year ago," said Dick Mills, executive director of student services. In the past two weeks, one developer approached the district with plans for 500 additional homes not included in the original study. These new homes and others uncovered in recent weeks could bring in as many as 750 new students not projected by the demographic study. Schneider believes the district must now start to prepare for the anticipated growth. He said, "We can't afford to wait until all the students are here. Most schools in Pasadena and the South Belt are already bursting at the seams. To build the schools we need will take two or three years. By that time, we will really be hurting for space. |
State historical marker
unveiled |
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| A new historical marker was unveiled at the site of the first permanent Pasadena Independent School District schoolhouse on the current Kruse Elementary property at the corner of Broadway and Shaver. | The Texas Historical Commission approved the site last summer as an officially recognized historical landmark. Pasadena ISD holds the distinction as the oldest independent school district in Harris County, and the marker commemorated the small, one-room schoolhouse that has grown to 49 schools and 42,000 students. |
| THIS ISSUE Dobie Feature 1996 graduate is Miss Texas USA Pasadena Feature 1948 graduate stays young at heart through sports |
Rayburn Feature 1977 graduate helps families through therapy South
Houston Feature |
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