Thursday, March 28, 2024

Carroll Opens Borders Up To Southlake Residents

Carroll School Trustees opened the district’s borders to residents of the City of Southlake who are not zoned within CISD boundaries, but want their children to be Carroll Dragons. Families have to apply annually at schools where space is available and provide their own transportation.

The decision Monday ended years of requests from City of Southlake residents who have asked for their children to attend Carroll schools. Officials say they are not yet certain how many students will apply for the transfers under the new policy, which was approved on a 6-0 vote by CISD Trustees on second reading.

The new open enrollment policy will take effect immediately. A completed application form as well as other required items must be submitted in person or by US Mail to the Carroll ISD Administration Center, 2400 N. Carroll Avenue in Southlake. School officials say the application will be available to the public at the Administration Center and online in early July.

Seats will be filled based on space availability, according to Dr. JJ Villarreal, Assistant Superintendent for Student Services. Parents applying under the new policy may find various grade levels closed at the campus closest to their home. Although transfers are granted on space availability, the applicant can rank their campus preferences for CISD to consider.

“In approving transfers, Carroll ISD Administration will consider the availability of space and instructional staff and the student’s disciplinary history and attendance records,” Dr. Villarreal explains. “CISD campuses meeting 94 percent enrollment capacity will not be considered as an option for enrollment.”

Although the Southlake families will not be charged tuition to attend CISD schools, they will have to provide their own transportation. CISD will receive a little over $6,000 in state funding for each transfer student, and families who live, shop and enjoy calling Southlake home will now have a chance to be Carroll Dragons.

School officials say the Texas Education Code stipulates that every district that has open enrollment must have an annual reapplication requirement. Consideration is by student and not by family, according to CISD officials. Priority for available seats will be given to 1) the students of nonresident District employees, 2) students who are grandchildren of District residents, 3) Students who are Southlake residents and have been previously granted an inter-district transfer, and 4) students who are Southlake residents and are new inter-district transfer applicants.

Residents of the City of Southlake can also apply to get on the wait list for the preschool program under the newly approved policy. Applicants under the new policy will be notified of the status of their application in mid-August after new student registration.

An image of a family bowling and dining

Photo of a solar eclipse