Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD) announced that South Hi Mount Elementary will relocate to the former Western Hills Primary building at 8300 Mojave Trail beginning Dec. 1. The move affects almost 500 students and follows a year‑long series of engineering assessments that identified structural cracks and building movement.
Timeline of engineering findings
District officials first hired an engineer in June 2025 after cracks appeared in the school’s northeast corner. The engineer recommended addressing drainage issues and monitoring the foundation. In May 2026 a second engineer installed temporary shoring to stabilize the structure and began planning permanent repairs. Preliminary repair drawings were completed on July 2, 2026, and final construction plans were received on Aug. 14, 2026.
After a request for qualifications was issued on Sept. 17, 2026, the solicitation closed on Oct. 16. The district evaluated bids through Oct. 28 and, following heavy rainfall in late October, detected additional building movement. An engineer was called back and, on Nov. 3‑4, recommended evacuating the northeast portion of the school. Fourth‑grade classes in the affected area were moved to portable classrooms on Nov. 4.
Decision to relocate the entire campus
Deputy Superintendent of Operations Kellie Spencer told a community meeting on Nov. 9 that administrators chose to relocate the whole school rather than continue with temporary fixes. “Every day we wait increases the risk,” Spencer said, emphasizing the district’s responsibility to protect students.
Spencer explained that Western Hills Primary was selected because it is the closest vacant district building capable of housing the entire student body. The district estimates repair costs for the northeast portion at roughly $1.1 million, but funding and board approval remain pending.
Parent concerns and survey results
Parents expressed frustration at the short notice and the five‑mile commute. PTA President Kelsey Pitts asked, “Are we coming back in six months? Are we coming back ever?” Her concerns echo a community‑organized survey conducted before the Nov. 9 meeting, which gathered responses from 134 parents and caregivers and 32 staff members.
Among parents, 121 indicated little or no confidence that officials had adequately evaluated alternatives, and 63 said they were very or extremely likely to consider enrolling their children elsewhere. Only four respondents selected Western Hills as their preferred temporary location.
Staff respondents were split, with some emphasizing the urgency of evacuation if the structure proved hazardous. Spencer noted that the district hopes families will stay with their teachers and classmates, pointing to a recent relocation of Meacham Middle School that did not result in enrollment losses.
Logistics and next steps
Transportation plans are being finalized, and the district will provide buses for the new site. Spencer said the district will continue to monitor the former South Hi Mount building and will keep the community informed about repair progress and funding sources.
While the relocation is intended as a temporary solution through the end of the school year, the district has not set a timeline for returning to the original campus. Parents like Cosha Peterson, whose pre‑K and fourth‑grade children attend South Hi Mount, said they will seek alternative schools if the move proceeds as planned.
Community response
The meeting on Nov. 9 was marked by tension; officials declined to take live questions, directing families to submit written inquiries instead. Louis Kushner, the superintendent’s chief of staff, explained that the district wanted an intimate setting focused on families and safety considerations.
FWISD officials remain committed to completing the necessary repairs and reopening South Hi Mount as safely and quickly as possible, while ensuring that students’ education continues uninterrupted during the transition.
Original reporting: Fort Worth Report — read the source article.
