Watkins MS Opening Delayed

Prosper ISD is still growing and remains one of the fastest-growing districts in Texas; however, the North Texas region is experiencing a shift in population movement.

• DFW is experiencing a notable slowdown in new home construction, with new home starts down 37% and closings down 29% year over year.

• Economic factors, including interest rates and a slower resale market, have impacted projected enrollment growth throughout the region.

• Texas school districts receive funding on a per-pupil basis, which means our revenue is directly tied to student enrollment.

• When enrollment growth slows unexpectedly in our area, school districts receive less funding than anticipated.
  
  

We are not alone in making these adjustments—several neighboring North Texas districts, including Frisco, McKinney, Plano, and Allen, have made similar decisions in response to changing growth patterns.

To be good stewards of taxpayer dollars, we made the strategic decision to build Watkins Middle School now, while construction costs were lower, rather than waiting until tomorrow when prices would inevitably be higher. This approach ensures we maximize the value of voter-approved bond dollars.

By delaying the school's opening for students, we can defer the significant staffing and operational costs associated with running a full campus into a future fiscal year when our enrollment and funding better align with the facility's capacity. We will defer approximately $9.8 million in salaries and operational costs into the 2027-2028 fiscal year.

Additionally, infrastructure improvements, including the completion of Legacy Road in February 2027, will better support our facilities when Watkins does open.

• Students currently zoned for Hays, Moseley, Reynolds, and Rushing Middle Schools will not be affected. They will remain at their current schools with no changes to their attendance zones.
  
  
• For families living in Creeks of Legacy, Legacy Gardens, and Star Trail, we are providing continued flexibility through our parent choice option. Students who previously selected Reynolds Middle School may continue attending for the 2026-27 school year. Additionally, rising 6th-grade siblings of students who chose to attend Reynolds this year will also have the option to attend Reynolds for the 2026-27 school year. (Additional information will come at a later time.) Please note that families choosing this option will need to provide their own transportation, as district transportation will not be available for students attending outside their designated attendance zone.
  
  
• Bridges Middle School will open as planned in 2026-27 to address current overcrowding at Rogers and Jones Middle Schools. See graphic below for the proposed Bridges Middle School attendance zone.