By Chris Moore

chris.moore@panews.com

 

An updated Templeton Demographic study projects Nederland Independent School District to grow by 738 children over the next 10 years. The new study’s projections, obtained via the Freedom of Information Act, show a nearly 440-student decrease from a study conducted by the same company in July.

During a July school board meeting, Templeton Demographics produced a study estimating the district would grow by 1,177 students over the next 10 years.

The study took into account job growth, housing, birthrates in the zip code and a snapshot of the district’s enrollment numbers during October 2017. At that time, Nederland gained 134 students from the previous year.

The original study projected Nederland to gain 86 students this school, but the district lost 195.

The original study projected a five-year growth of 586 compared to the 481 revised number.

The original study was presented to the board at an open meeting two months before the first meeting of the Citizens Advisory Committee, which was formed by the district to look at potential bond issues to vote on in the spring.

The committee is touring one campus a month and assessing items to put on a survey that will go out to Nederland residents to get feedback before determining what will go on the bond issue.

During the fourth-of-six meetings, NISD consultant Robert Nicks mentioned the existence of an updated study to the committee. Nicks said he didn’t want to get into the study because it would, “open a can of worms.”

The original study was also given to the members of the CAC during the first meeting in September, but the updated one has not been distributed to the members of the CAC or discussed during recent school board meetings.

During the last CAC meeting, members voted on suggestions to go the survey that will be sent to residents.

An architecture firm provided estimates to rebuild and remodel each school as members mulled over options.

A spokesperson for NISD did not immediately return a request for comment.

The committee will meet at Helena Park Elementary at 6 p.m. for their next meeting Jan. 10.