Update: 7:03pm: Forney ISD confirms the entrance will be off of FM 1641.
Update: 7:03pm: Forney ISD confirms the entrance will be off of FM 1641.
Update 1:27pm: Local Real Estate Agent Lacy Janca reports that the entrance will be on 1641. The project lists the Helms Trail address. Requests for more detailed plans are being sent. This story is still developing. If you have more details please email them news@inforney.com.
Forney, TX– In a significant development for the Forney Independent School District (ISD), plans have been officially registered for a new transportation facility that aims to streamline operations and support the district's growing needs. The facility, which will span an impressive 26,521 square feet, is set to be constructed at 10400B Helms Trail, Forney, TX 75126, with an estimated cost of $12.5 million.
This is part of the May 2022 bond package approved by voters to assist with the fast growth in our district and community.
The project is scheduled to commence on March 31, 2025, with an expected completion date of June 5, 2026. This new infrastructure is anticipated to significantly improve the efficiency of transportation services for the district, which has been expanding rapidly in recent years.
Forney ISD, which is known for its commitment to providing quality education and resources to its students, has recognized the importance of modernizing its transportation facilities to better serve its community. The new transportation facility will encompass a variety of features designed to enhance operational efficiency and improve safety for both students and staff.
The design for the facility has been entrusted to Huckabee, a well-respected architectural firm based in Fort Worth, which specializes in educational and community-focused projects. The collaboration aims to ensure that the new facility meets the highest standards of accessibility and functionality. Huckabee was also awarded the Keith Bell Opportunity Center.
As the project progresses, the Forney ISD and its partners will be working closely with registered accessibility specialists to ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements, including inspections that will be conducted within the first year following the completion of construction.
This substantial investment not only reflects Forney ISD's forward-thinking approach but also signals a commitment to enhancing the overall educational experience for students. As the district prepares for this significant upgrade, community members can look forward to improvements in transportation services that directly support the educational mission of Forney ISD.
About the May 2022 bond package:
In January 2022, Forney ISD created a Community Facilities Committee made up of over 55 parents, teachers, and local leaders to help manage the district's growth and prevent overcrowded schools. In May 2022, voters approved a $1.2 billion bond to support this plan. The good news for homeowners is that this bond will not raise property tax rates; in fact, rates will stay 17 cents lower than in 2019, thanks to tax revenue from new homes and businesses. The bond will finance the construction of five new elementary schools, expansions for early childhood programs, middle schools, and a new high school, along with various improvements and a transportation center.
Did You Know?
- Over the next decade, Forney ISD is projected to more than double its enrollment from the current 16,000 students to over 35,000.
- In the next five years, the district expects to add over 15,000 homes, leading to an estimated 25,000 students.
- By 2030, Forney ISD anticipates adding more than 30,000 homes and reaching a student population of 35,000.
- Quarterly new home starts within the district more than doubled between 2020 and 2021.
- With new home sales reaching 3,000 annually, Forney ISD could see an increase of over 2,400 students next fall.
- There are currently 23 subdivisions within the district actively building homes or in planning stages.
- Approximately 28,000 future lots are planned, with over 4,500 currently under development.
- Despite the approval of the November 2019 bond, the Forney ISD tax rate was reduced by 17 cents to $1.37 in fall 2021.
- Through careful management of bond funds, Forney ISD saved millions in construction costs, allowing for the inclusion of an additional elementary school (Dewberry Elementary) to accommodate rising student numbers.
- Forney ISD maintains a healthy fund balance that exceeds the recommendations set by the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
Requests for more information to Huckabee were not answered in time. We will provide updates as they become available. Stay tuned for updates as the construction of the new transportation facility unfolds, promising to bring a new era of efficiency and safety to Forney ISD’s transportation services.