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Crandall ISD superintendent urges Kaufman County to plan road improvements for fast-growing schools
Summary
Crandall ISD officials told the Kaufman County Commissioners Court the district expects rapid enrollment growth, outlined plans for five elementary sites and a middle school slated to open in 2029, and asked the county and TxDOT to coordinate road improvements (turn lanes, deceleration lanes and bypass planning) to serve the new campuses.
Dr. Murray, the superintendent representing Crandall Independent School District, told the Kaufman County Commissioners Court the district is preparing for sustained growth and needs county help to make nearby roads safe and workable for new school sites.
"We are preparing for a large growth in Crandall ISD," Dr. Murray said, and added the district is projecting an average growth rate of 6.2% over the next 10 years with an average absolute increase of about 614 students per year. He said the district owns five future elementary sites and a central middle school planned to open in 2029 with capacity for roughly 1,200 students and that the site will likely reach capacity in its first year.
The districts priorities include multiple entry points for buses and family traffic, dedicated bus entrances and added turn and deceleration lanes on State Highway 148 near Prairie Chapel Road. "Turn lanes, deceleration lanes are gonna be really important," Dr. Murray told the court, and he urged early coordination because road bonds and large infrastructure changes typically take multiple years to plan and fund.
Dr. Murray said the district has purchased about 133 acres on Prairie Chapel Road that could hold a high school, stadium or career-and-technical-education facilities, and asked to be invited to any planning meetings for the 148 North bypass so the district can offer data and siting information.
County officials said they would engage TxDOT and conduct surveys and studies; the county judge noted the need to discuss bond timelines and earlier planning to align county road work with the districts construction schedule. Dr. Murray said the districts bond committee will decide soon whether to seek voter approval this November or in May 2027.
The court did not take action that would commit county funding at the meeting; Dr. Murray left printed materials and contact information for follow-up and asked the county to include district representatives in future right-of-way and bypass planning discussions.
