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February 27, 2020
TO OUR RIDGE POINT HIGH SCHOOL COMMUNITY:
Earlier this week, FBISD released an announcement regarding the “cap and overflow” plan that will be implemented for Ridge Point High School (RPHS) beginning in the 2020-21 school year. Regretfully, this communication was vague and ambiguous, causing confusion within the community about how cap and overflow would be implemented. At the Regular Board Meeting on February 24, the Board was clear in our intent to cap and overflow in a limited manner and only for students who are not currently enrolled in a school zoned to RPHS. I am writing to you now on behalf of the Board of Trustees to ensure clear communication about how cap and overflow will be implemented.
At our February 24 Board Meeting, we were notified that, due to the continuing enrollment growth projected within the RPHS attendance boundaries, the district will limit new enrollment at RPHS for the 2020-21 school year. Based on previous community input against rezoning, the Board decided last school year that overutilization at RPHS would be managed through cap and overflow. Accordingly, cap and overflow will be implemented in the 2020-21 school year for all students enrolling in a RPHS-zoned school after June 30, 2020, and who do not reside within the two-mile driving distance of RPHS. Those newly-enrolled students (who enroll after June 30, 2020) who live outside the two-mile driving distance of RPHS will attend Hightower High School.
The two-mile driving distance (area) is defined as two or more miles from the assigned school as measured through the FBISD Transportation routing system. The distance a student lives from their assigned school is determined by measuring the shortest route that may be traveled on public roads as defined by the FBISD Transportation routing system.
To summarize, effective June 30, 2020 and until further notice:- Incoming freshmen students (currently enrolled 8th graders who reside within the RPHS attendance boundary) who live inside and outside of the two mile walk area will attend Ridge Point High School.
- Students who enroll after June 30, 2020, and live within two miles of the school will attend Ridge Point High School.
- All students who enroll after June 30, 2020, and live outside of the two-mile area will attend Hightower High School.
Unless unanticipated growth requires additional relief at RPHS, we expect the cap and overflow to Hightower High School to remain in effect until the opening of High School 12, which is scheduled for August 2022.
We understand that these decisions do affect families, which is why we are committed to ensuring that you have the most accurate information. To assist with this goal, we have created a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document that is posted on the FBISD website at www.fortbendisd.com/enrollmentmanagement.
In the fall of 2020, pursuant to Policy FC (Local), our Boundary Change Process will begin and the School Boundary Oversight Committee (SBOC) will study attendance boundaries for High School 12. Public Hearings will be held as part of the community engagement process to support their work.
Please be assured that the Board will continue to work closely with FBISD administrators to provide learning environments in which students learn and model the FBISD Profile of a Graduate. We will also continue to hold our administrators accountable for providing timely, accurate communication in the future. If the FAQ does not answer all your questions, please submit questions via Let’s Talk.
Sincerely,
Jason Burdine
President, Board of Trustees
Fort Bend Independent School District
