Lamar CISD board approves rezoning for Williams High School, opens new campus with grades 9–11 and preserves UIL legacy transfers

The Lamar Consolidated ISD Board of Trustees approved rezoning maps and opening options for Secondary Complex Eight (Williams High School) on May 19, adopting the Attendance Boundary Committee’s Option 4 by unanimous vote.

Action and vote: Trustee John Welch moved to approve option four, opening Williams High School with grades 9–11 and including the UIL legacy provision; Trustee Masters seconded. The motion carried 7–0.

What the board approved: Option four uses recently created elementary school zones (including Slivinski and Cantu elementaries) to reduce the number of elementary campuses split between the purple track and the new track, balances projected enrollments across the new secondary campuses and minimizes travel impacts for families. For secondary grades, only Hagood Elementary would be split in this option, the administration said.

Legacy provision details: Coach Gabbard explained the UIL legacy provision mechanics: legacy eligibility is limited to students who participate in advanced academic contests, varsity athletics (criteria include earning a varsity letter or significant playoff participation), or performing and visual arts (lettering or earned points as defined in the student handbook). Legacy students must provide their own transportation; siblings who do not meet the eligibility criteria are not automatically eligible.

Attendance Boundary Committee (ABC) role: ABC parents Stephanie Waddell and Kayla Florence presented the committee’s unanimous recommendation of option four. They described a structured, multi‑meeting process that prioritized keeping elementary neighborhoods intact when possible, balancing enrollments and considering travel distance. Public surveys and ABC deliberations informed the committee’s ranking.

Why it matters: The decision reassigns thousands of students as the district opens three new secondary campuses in August 2027; opening with grades 9–11 reduces disruption for current seniors while the legacy provision preserves continuity for qualifying UIL participants.

Next steps: Administration will implement the ABC option and proceed with enrollment management actions, communicate rezoning assignments to affected families and manage legacy transfer requests as specified by the approved eligibility criteria.

Vote record (summary): Motion to approve Option 4 with grades 9–11 and UIL legacy provision — mover Trustee John Welch; second Trustee Masters; outcome approved 7–0.