Highland Park ISD officials are getting creative to find land for more classrooms in a district with little room to grow, but a rising number of students. The latest idea is a joint-agreement with University Park to share the city’s pool.
Such a move would allow the district to demolish its own pool, located on the high school campus, and use the space for more classrooms.
Highland Park ISD trustees and University Park City Council will meet Monday to discuss the proposal.
If the idea goes forward, the school district and University Park may turn the city pool into a year-round facility shared by residents and athletes, city spokesman Steve Mace said. Highland Park ISD is proposing construction of a new indoor pool that would be near the city’s current facility, district spokeswoman Helen Williams said.
University Park’s pool is located in Curtis Park on Lovers Lane and across the street from University Park Elementary School. The complex has a 50-meter pool, a children’s pool, water slide and diving boards.
Trustees are working on a master facilities plan that’d accommodate the district’s enrollment growth. They are considering renovations to existing schools, a new elementary school and a new kindergarten campus, among other ideas. A bond package for the construction projects could go to voters in 2015.
But one of Highland Park ISD’s major challenges is the lack of available land. Unlike other North Texas school districts with growth, the 6.2-square mile area is almost entirely developed. Land for a new school would be very expensive since Park Cities property values are high.
Joint-use of the pool could be a win-win for the city and district, Mace said. Residents could use the renovated swimming pool during cold-weather months and the district could free up space on its high school property for other uses.
School district and city officials will meet 5 p.m. Monday at University Park City Hall.