Dallas zoning vote for new school delayed to Nov. 19

Dallas City Plan Commissioners pushed back a decision on a proposed school change at a Northwest Highway church until Nov. 19.

Commissioner Larry Hall of District 13 moved to delay the vote on Nov. 5. This marks the second postponement for the case, which had previously been moved from Oct. 8 to Nov. 5 at the request of a local resident. The delay allows for further review of the proposal to replace a daycare with an elementary and middle school.

Northway Christian Church board chair Paul Schmidt announced the plan earlier this year. The church at 7202 W. Northwest Highway, located next to Boone Elementary, will close its Day School for children aged six months to five in May 2027. The space will then host The Compass School of Texas, which currently serves Pre-K through fifth grade and plans to expand to eighth grade.

Schmidt stated in a letter that the change will expand the church's mission reach and provide sustainable revenue. He described the school's goal as preserving community warmth and connection to nature while supporting its growth. The Compass School opened in 2023 and intends to serve a wider age range in the coming years.

Nearby residents and Highland Park Independent School District leaders have raised concerns about traffic and future land use. They previously called for staggered arrival and dismissal times for Boone Elementary and Compass to mitigate congestion. Meagan Ranallo, a parent at Boone Elementary, said she and other neighbors have met with the applicant since April. The group plans to use the additional two weeks to continue those discussions before the next hearing.