By Elvin Franklin
Over the past few years, North Forest has been challenged by a number of changes to the community. The most significant change affecting our community is the education of our children. Gone are the days of every North Forest school bustling with kids, only to be replaced with empty reminders of what once was, sprinkled throughout the community. We all can remember the cheers from packed football games that echoed North Forest pride throughout the community. Now, there’s no Forest Brook or Smiley High School.
Sure, the district has had its share of troubles, but we cannot forget the children and grandchildren who are still there. Although I am retired and do not have school-aged children, I am still concerned about the kids in my community. The dropout rate and loss of students to other school districts is heartbreaking. For students who stay and graduate, if they cannot attend a university, they are forced to pay twice the amount in tuition at the community college because they are out-of-district. Our kids deserve the same opportunities provided by other school districts.
When I hear about Early College High Schools and bridge programs linked to higher education, I ask, what about North Forest? Well, it is evident that the school district cannot do it alone. As parents and community members, we must do something. What, you ask? The time is right to partner with higher education.
For years our community has discussed the possibility of being annexed by Houston Community College. Personally, I believe the time to act is now. A partnership with HCC and North Forest could only be a win-win for the community. Not only would tuition be cut in half for North Forest students attending HCC, but the North Forest School District would benefit as well. If the district were annexed, NFISD could gain an Early College High School, more dual credit offerings, college prep classes, high-tech vocational training, GED and ESL, and college courses offered in the community. This is the kind of educational support that is needed in North Forest.
A college in our community can help our school district lower dropout rates and improve graduation rates. It also adds value to the community as a whole. The college has the ability to provide specialized training and partnerships that can help small businesses. As a business and community leader, I have witnessed other communities and school districts benefit from being a part of a college district. How long are we going to stand by with our eggs in one basket? We can attempt to change our community by simply signing a petition.
Currently, the North Forest community is holding a petition drive to ask Houston Community College to call an election in November on whether to annex North Forest ISD. I strongly support this effort for the many reasons. First, young people in our community wanting to attend HCC will no longer be discouraged by the out-of-district fees. The cost of tuition would drop from $104 per credit to $57 per credit hour, making it more affordable for them to attend college. Second, the overall benefits mentioned earlier and the potential to provide training for adults wanting to enter the workforce.
I know that many of you are saying, this is great, but it is going to cost us. Yes, annexation does come with a price, but a small price in comparison to the return on the investment. The HCC tax rate is $.092, about nine cents per $100 valuation and much lower than neighboring college districts. The senior exemption is $90,000, which means a large number of North Forest seniors will not see a tax increase at all. Even though I do not have children in school or college, I believe annexation is good for our community.
If the foundation of education is strong, then our community is strengthened. I believe the education of our community is everyone’s responsibility. That’s why I am signing the petition and will vote for annexation. I hope you will, too.
