As our feedback collection on the elementary rezoning process has ended as of January 24th, New Braunfels ISD explains more on how the district is responding to the thoughts and comments received from stakeholders.

NBISD recently announced elementary rezoning scenarios for the 2025-26 school year, which include the transition of County Line Elementary into a districtwide magnet school. The final scenario of rezoning will go before the Board of Trustees in February and will be up for approval during the March school board meeting.

The magnet school originally was slated to open at the beginning of the 2026-27 school year, but the district adjusted its timeline of opening as a full-fledged magnet school at this time due to responses from Elementary Rezoning Scenario #1 parent feedback.

“Our priority has been to be transparent and to listen to our families and ensure that this transition meets the needs of our students while aligning with the future plans of NBISD,” said Dr. Laurelyn Arterbury, NBISD Superintendent.

The Scenario #1 Rezoning Feedback Survey provided all parents with the opportunity to express their thoughts in which many felt that current County Line students should have the opportunity to remain at the school until they complete fifth grade. 

“Magnet school sounds great, but not at the expense of CLE,” one person said on the survey. “Phase kids out or put them at a newer campus.”

In response to this comment and others that were similar on the survey, NBISD released a phased approach in the second scenario. Under the newly released Scenario #2, County Line students who are in the first grade will be able to complete their fifth grade year at the school. This phased transition will allow families time to adjust to the rezoning changes.

Feedback from Scenario #2 has included many comments from parents who are pleased with the new idea of phasing students out of the school. Some of those comments included:

“I like that kids may be able to finish out their elementary education at CLE where they started,” one response said about Scenario #2.

Many other survey responses also spoke in support of the phasing out plan. Some of those responses included: 

“I really appreciate the proposed plan of phasing the magnet program into CLE. I am very impressed with the willingness to reach an agreeable solution. Thank you. I also appreciate the compassion and remorse that has been shown due to the first roll out of this initial ordeal.”

“I like that my student will remain at CLE for the upcoming 2025-26 school year and that she will not lose ANY of her classmates to an abrupt rezoning. This will enable her to continue the relationships with staff and students that she’s been building at CLE and loving.”

Additionally, NBISD has provided a set of options for parents who have students who will be in kindergarten.

Option One – Parents can choose to enroll their Kindergartener or keep their 1st grade student at CLE for the 2025-26 school year. The student would need to apply for the Magnet program and be accepted to remain at CLE beginning with the 2026-27 school year. 

Option Two – Parents can choose to enroll their Kindergartener or move their 1st grade student to their newly zoned elementary campus and bring any other CLE siblings with them to that campus to keep their family together at one campus. 

Option Three – Parents can choose to enroll their Kindergarten or move their 1st grade student to their newly zoned elementary campus so that their child has a consistent K-5 experience at one school.   Older CLE siblings can remain at CLE.  Parents would need to provide transportation.

County Line’s transition into a magnet school is part of NBISD’s recently announced five-year strategic plan – Future Focused 2030: A Collaborative Vision for NBISD. This vision was developed by NBISD stakeholders and includes what the district should prioritize over the next five years as we continue to grow, innovate and respond to the needs of our students.

Many stakeholders also have expressed encouragement regarding rezoning and the opening of a districtwide magnet school. 

“Overall this reflects a lot of community philosophy and values. It also creates a plan that can be the footprint with minor changes for years to come,” said one NBISD community member. 

Another person who gave feedback said, “Great job NBISD. Tough choices need to be made to adjust to progress. It’s good to know that we have strong leadership.”

The feedback received regarding County Line and the elementary rezoning process has been incredibly important to NBISD as our district continues to make adjustments to the final rezoning scenario that will be presented to the Board in February.

“Thank you to the community members and stakeholders that have taken the time to come out to our community forums and express their thoughts and also to those that have submitted their feedback though our online form,” Arterbury said. “I can assure you that every comment has been read and considered.”

Please stay tuned for the final elementary attendance zone scenario which will be approved by the Board on March 10th and released on NBISD.org on March 11th.