The Midway ISD Board of Trustees was given a look at what could be the demographic future of the district at its April 4 special called meeting.
Bob Templeton of demographic firm Zonda presented the study, which looked at the last five years of enrollment data along with residential and commercial development within Midway ISD to forecast enrollment over the next decade. The report noted Midway ISD enrollment has increased more than five percent since 2019, and is expected to continue at a rate of between one to two percent a year over the next 10 years.
“Our growth is steady and it will continue,” Midway ISD Board President Pete Rusek said. “It is important that we monitor these trends because enrollment numbers drive hiring, safety, funding, construction – so many things that impact the future of our district.”
Midway ISD is expected to reach enrollment of more than 10,000 by 2030 and be over current facility capacity by 2033.
“There is a need for discussion about our overall capacity at the elementary level and what we should do to prepare for that,” Midway ISD Superintendent Dr. Chris Allen said. “Five of our eight elementary schools are expected to be at or over capacity within the next three to five years.”
The majority of elementary school growth—which Templeton said generally drives enrollment—is expected to occur in the South Bosque and Park Hill elementary zones, with those campuses being at or above capacity in coming years. Castleman Creek and Spring Valley elementaries are expected to be at or above 95% capacity in short order as well.
Several elementary campuses are designed to allow for the addition of classroom space through added wings or extensions of current wings, including South Bosque and Spring Valley elementaries.
Secondary campuses are in better shape, with only the high school and River Valley Middle School nearing capacity within the next decade, but not until 2031. Midway High School has a total capacity of 3,100 students and is expected to be at or above 95% of that in the 2031-32 school year with an enrollment of 2,981. Currently, MHS has 2,730 students enrolled. River Valley, with a total capacity of 1,250, is expected to be at or above 95% in 2031-32 with 1,190 students.
District officials are exploring a long-term facilities plan that will map out needed maintenance, age and end of life stages for big ticket items like HVAC, electrical systems, structures and more, as well as plan for new facilities when needed.
“We have done a great job of building new buildings here in Midway, but we need to make sure we are taking a look at our older facilities and caring for them in a way that extends their life and keeps them safe and relevant,” Dr. Allen said. “For example, Midway High School is now 20 years old. There’s a lot of maintenance and needs that come with a 20-year-old building.”
The district will hear the next demographic report in the Fall.
