Denton ISD opens on Tuesday, Aug. 26, with three new schools

by PegNews wire

DENTON — Denton Independent School District, considered the second-fastest growing school district in North Texas, opens its doors on Tuesday, Aug. 26, with an estimated 1,000 new students and three new schools.

The district is expecting almost 22,000 students for the 2008-09 school year. Since 2000, the district has grown from 13,446 students to almost 22,000. During the next three years, the district is anticipated to grow to about 25,000 students.

Denton ISD currently encompasses 180 square miles and contains all or parts of more than 15 cities, communities or major developments.

As a result of the district’s growth, three new Denton ISD schools will open their doors on the first day of school - all three schools were approved in the 2004 bond election.

Harpool Middle, the district’s sixth middle school, will be led by Principal Mike Vance. Mr. Vance served as principal at Strickland for seven years and was assistant principal for 10 years. The construction dollars for Harpool Middle were $24.6 million.

Blanton Elementary will open its doors with Principal Karen Satterwhite at the helm. Ms. Satterwhite is currently the principal of Hargrave Elementary in Crowley, Texas and has 23 years experience in education. Blanton Elementary’s construction costs were $12.3 million.

Denton ISD’s third new school, Stephens Elementary, will be led by Rod Southard as principal and Eric Harting as interim principal. Mr. Southard, who remains on medical leave, was principal of Savannah Elementary for two years and principal of Hodge Elementary from 1999 to 2005. Mr. Harting was assistant principal at E.P Rayzor Elementary. The construction dollars for Stephens Elementary were $12.5 million.

The three new schools and contact information includes:

• Harpool Middle is located at 9601 Stacee Lane, Argyle, (940) 369-1700.

• Blanton Elementary is located at 9501 Stacee Lane, Argyle, (940) 369-0700.

• Stephens Elementary is located at 133 Garza, Shady Shores.(940) 369-0800.

Prior to Aug. 26, the elementary schools have planned special “Meet the Teacher” nights for students to find their classrooms, drop off their school supplies and meet the teachers and staff. The purpose of these open houses is to help streamline the first day of school traffic and dissipate those first-day jitters for the students, school officials said.

Source: Denton Independent School District