AUSTIN, Texas — Student enrollment has more than doubled in the past seven years at Jarrell ISD.
"It's an exciting ride," said Superintendent Bill Chapman. "It's not always easy, but it's a very exiting ride."
According to Chapman, just 10 years ago the district housed K through 12 in one building. By 2012, they had just less than 1,000 students. Now they have almost 2,000. In 10 years, they expect to see almost 5,000 enrolled.
"With more kids means more teachers, more classrooms; it means finding a place to put them," said Chapman.
That's why they're expanding the middle and high school, adding classrooms, and science labs.
They're renovating the high school cafeteria and library, and adding an auditorium. And they're building a second elementary school.
"We will actually reach capacity of that new building possibly within three or four years of the building opening," said Chapman.
They're all projects funded by a 2017 voter-approved bond. But Chapman said they had increased in students since then.
"We know that more bonds are in our future, there's no way around it."
He said they're always looking to hire teachers, staff and bus drivers.
"We like to say we hire year-round."
The middle school addition should be done next spring, the high school renovations in fall of 2020, and the new elementary school by next school year.
The district is currently getting input from parents on attendance zones. It is holding two meetings at Jarrell Elementary School - one on February 27, the other on March 4, both at 6:30 p.m.