CCUSD
nears capacity
But
district expects existing classroom space to be sufficient
for next year
by Kathleen Stinson
CCUSD
– Cave Creek schools are close to capacity in the elementary
grades, according to a survey released last week.
Black
Mountain Elementary School had 579 students compared to
the school’s capacity of 644 students, according to the
district count tabulated on the 40th day of enrollment
in the 2006‑2007 academic year.
Lone
Mountain comes closest to meeting its capacity with one
less student than the 576 capacity or 575 students, as
stated in the report presented to the board last week.
Desert Willow has 632 students and a capacity of 656.
“The
board is waiting on the Long Range Planning Facilities
Committee’s report,” said Associate Superintendent Dr.
Kent Frison, noting the district is not likely to construct
new classroom space in the next school year.
The
district expects the existing classroom space will be
sufficient to take care of the student population for
the 2007‑8 academic year without a problem, Frison
said.
Horseshoe
Trails reported 523 students compared to a capacity of
668 and Desert Sun counted 452 students with a 657 student
capacity.
Although
the schools’ capacity often exceeds it, the district’s
stated goal is a maximum of 650 students per school at
the middle and elementary levels, the report states.
The
district’s two middle schools are also approaching capacity
and have exceeded the district’s cap. Desert Arroyo Middle
School reported 751 students compared to a 875‑student
capacity. Sonoran Trails had 671 students with a 875‑student
capacity.
Although
Lone Mountain Elementary is close to capacity, Frison
said the district is currently using some of the classrooms
for district offices. If additional space is needed, the
district could move its offices to the former Black Mountain
Elementary School campus.
Seven
of the 30 classrooms are currently used by the high school
which has exceeded its 1650 capacity by 57 students according
to the district count taken last fall. Besides the overflow
population from Cactus Shadows High School, the campus
also houses a pre‑school.
The
district is considering building a second high school,
but is not expected to make a decision as to the site
for a few months.
