Board adopts rezoning plan for Slobinski and Cantu elementary openings; grants 4th-grade legacy

The board approved rezoning plans tied to the district's opening of new elementary schools, endorsing the administration's maps for Slobinski (2026-27) and a modified 1B map for Cantu (2027-28), and allowing a "4th grade legacy" provision that permits currently enrolled fourth graders to remain at their existing campuses with parent-provided transportation.

Enrollment management walked trustees through five rezoning options and enrollment projections; the district ran two community surveys (first: 674 responses, ~11% response rate; second: 545 responses, ~9% response rate). The Attendance Boundary Committee (ABC) developed Option 5 to minimize multiple moves for neighborhoods, but administration presented a version of Option 1 (including a 1B variant) intended to provide broader capacity relief. ABC representatives Joey Bridges and Joey Pineda explained their process and why they recommended Option 5, emphasizing efforts to keep neighborhoods together and account for travel and safety concerns.

Two parents from Simonton, Britney Pineda and Sarah Reyno, spoke during public comment urging the board to preserve Morgan Elementary access for Simonton students because rezoning to Elementary School 40 would greatly increase commute times (Pineda said the drive would increase "from an average of 8 minutes to just under 30 minutes"). After discussion, Trustee Lambert moved to approve Option 1 for 2026-27 and Option 1B for 2027-28 and to allow the 4th-grade legacy; Trustee Welch seconded the motion, and it passed 6-0.