- Birdville Bonds
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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1. Why are the two schools being combined starting with the 2023¨C24 school year?
After voters approved the bond proposal in November 2022, ÒÀÒÀÉçÇø began working with architects to design the new Smith/Francisco partner school. During the project's early phases, architects surveyed the property and found that the new building would need to be built in the exact location of the current Smith Elementary building. If not, it could potentially cause drainage issues in the surrounding community.
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2. What is the name of the new campus?
On January 25, the board of trustees approved naming the new partner elementary school David E. Smith Elementary with the cafeteria being named Francisco Cafeteria. The school colors will be red and blue, and the school mascot will be a Lion.
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3. When will the current David E. Smith Elementary building be torn down?
The existing building will be torn down this summer (2023) to clear the property for construction of the new building.
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4. How will lunches be handled on the new campus?
The District will add additional seating in the cafeteria to help with lunches.
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5. Who will be on the PTA?
Administration and the campus principals will work with the PTA leadership at both campuses this spring (2023) to develop a plan to merge the two units. We believe this campus merger will only strengthen the PTA at the new campus.
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6. Will community members and alumni be able to visit the Smith Elementary campus before it is torn down?
Yes, ÒÀÒÀÉçÇø is planning a celebration event at the current Smith Elementary campus later this spring to allow the community and alumni the opportunity to walk the halls one last time. We will share more details once they are available.
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7. Will the David E. Smith students be able to visit the W.T. Francisco campus before school starts in August?
Yes, there will be opportunities in August for parents to visit the campus. With the amount of work on the Francisco campus this summer in preparation for the merger, it is unlikely there will be an opportunity to have an open house until closer to the start of school.
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8. How will students from Smith Elementary get to the Francisco campus?
Families will need to decide the best way for their child to get to and from school. Parents driving, students walking or riding their bikes are always a choice. It is less than two miles.
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9. Will parents get to meet the teachers before school starts?
Yes, there will be an open house and Meet the Teacher Night before school starts. Most, if not all, of the teachers on the Smith Elementary campus this year will also be teaching at the new campus during the 2023-24 school year.
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10. Where will all the students fit?
ÒÀÒÀÉçÇø is supplying modular buildings that will each have 8–10 classrooms and restrooms during the time students are on the Francisco campus.
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11. Who do we call with questions?
You can call your child’s campus or email bond22@birdvilleschools.net. If the answer is not known, the District will contact you.
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12. Will we have a playground that will fit all the students?
There will be adequate playground space on the Francisco campus. Also, since all grades are not on the playground at the same time, this will not be an issue.
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13. I live across the street from Francisco. What will you do to help with the added traffic on my street?
ÒÀÒÀÉçÇø is working with Haltom City on a traffic study. The proposed plan extends the parking lot and adds additional pickup lanes. (See the draft site map)
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14. What will happen to the old Smith and Francisco elementary buildings when the Partner school is built?
The old David E. Smith Elementary campus will be torn down, and the new partner school will be built on that site. ÒÀÒÀÉçÇø will work with the city and community leaders to figure out the best use of the W.T. Francisco property.
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15. Will teachers or other staff lose their jobs because of the partner school with Smith and Francisco elementary schools?
No. Just because the campuses are coming together does not mean the students go away. Teachers from both campuses will be merged as one team to serve the new campus. No teachers or other staff will lose their employment in the District because of the proposal.