HPISD votes to acquire land for new elementary school

Purchase contingent on passage of future bond issue Highland Park Independent School District trustees voted Tuesday to purchase 4.6 acres of land from a Dallas church to build a fifth elementary school - the first to be built in the district since 1949. The purchase of the parcel from Northway Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) at 7202 W. Northwest Highway is contingent upon the successful passage of a future bond issue. The $20 million land purchase involves about one-third of the church's property on its eastern side - currently the location of a baseball field, handball court, multipurpose activities building and a parsonage - but the church itself will remain. "This is the culmination of the extraordinary vision and dedication of our community to collaborate and partner with our school district," said HPISD School Board Trustee Jim Hitzelberger. "We are excited for a portion of our property to be used for public elementary education," said Northway Board Chair Mark Gearner. "Northway strives to weave education into everything we do, and we feel that the surrounding community will benefit from this new school for many years to come." HPISD and the church had discussed a possible sale many times over the years, said Chris Nabors, a Northway member who coordinated the sale to the district. "Northway has now completed a significant strategic planning endeavor that gives us a clearer sense of our own mission and purpose," Nabors said. "The timing is right, and the land sale will allow us to better fulfill our objectives." HPISD has experienced steady enrollment growth across the district over the years. For more information, contact: Helen Williams Communications Director, HPISD 214-780-3008 Mark Gearner Northway Christian Church 214-361-6641