Rumor Mill: Rezoning, Renaming, Rescheduling

It's been a while since we shared a post related to some of the rumors that float around the District community. Here are a few rumors that got our attention and are worth clearing up:


Rumor #1: Decisions have already been made for high school attendance zones and moving specific middle school zones around.

False - No process has started for High School rezoning. However, we will seek help from community for an Attendance Zone Committee in November/December for Nancy Neal Elementary that will open Fall 2011. (Dr. Morrison addresses the Neal Elementary attendance zone process in his September Superintendent Update video.)

We'll start the attendance zone process for High School #5 next year ahead of that school's 2012 opening.


Rumor #2: Ben Barber Career Tech Academy was renamed, "Frontier High School"

False - These are two different campus. Frontier HS was opened this fall as a school within a school located at Ben Barber Career Tech Academy. A little over 200 juniors are taking classes as Froniter HS students. Students from our four traditional high schools still benefit from taking career and technology courses at BBCTA going to and from their home campus.



Rumor #3: The middle school bell schedule is set to change next year.

Possibly True - This one was a bit premature. A proposed adjustment to the Master Schedule has been brought forth by the middle school principals. This could be a change to the block periods. However, the change has not been presented to the School Board. This will happen in October, and then they would have to accept the proposal before it could go in effect next year. Please note, the bell schedule start and end times would remain the same.

We hope this helps alleviate any concern that might exist. Send us your Rumor Mill items and we'll look into them here. You can send us one by commenting on this post or via email.

Orchestra Program Implementation Update

Last November, the initial plans to the community were announced along with a presentation to the School Board on a Proposed Orchestra Program for Mansfield ISD. We will not begin an orchestra program in the 2010-2011 school year.

Mansfield ISD is still very committed to the eventual addition of orchestra to the Fine Arts offerings. However, at this time we will continue to study the issue in order to have a successful implementation. Currently at issue are facility needs at a few campuses that are too great to overcome in a short amount of time.

Starting an orchestra program is no easy task and the administration believes that by taking a measured approach and delaying the program’s start is in the best interests of the District, students, and community.

(Photo credit: Michael @ NW Lens)

Rumor Mill #2 - Timberview HS Threat Tomorrow(False).

We have received a few calls today regarding a potential threat at Timberview High School tomorrow (Thursday, March 13, 2008). In this particular case, Mansfield ISD police have confirmed that there is no credible threat to the school tomorrow. This rumor actually ties to a rumor that began circulating in January.
Several parents that called asked if this is just students who "want an extra day off before Spring Break." I cannot verify what exactly is behind this rumor, but rumors often get heavier on high school campuses near holidays and school breaks.
Please know that we take all threats, rumors, etc., seriously and we will notify parents and students as soon as possible in the event of an actual credible threat.

Rumor Mill#1 - 5A Teams Get Preference at New Stadium?

We asked, and you sent us some rumor mill items. Thanks for those, and keep them coming. Below is the first installment of our blog feature Rumor Mill where we answer some of the common rumors on the street.

Will the 5A high schools get a preferred schedule of more games at the new MISD Stadium than the 4A high schools?

False. We double-checked with Athletic Director Debbie Weems to be double-sure, but there is no such system in place. Actually, coaches from all high schools get together to determine the schedules.

Thanks again, and send us your other Rumor Mill items by clicking on Comment below or email them directly to morate@mansfieldisd.org .