North East Independent School District (NEISD) school board members could vote as early as November to close three elementary schools at the end of the 2026‑27 academic year. Superintendent Anthony Jarrett has been meeting with families from Montgomery, Dellview and Oak Grove elementary schools to explain the district’s consolidation plan.
Why the schools meet closure criteria
All three campuses fall below NEISD’s thresholds for consolidation: each has fewer than 450 students, campus utilization is under 60 percent, and the cost per pupil is higher than the district average. The district’s total enrollment has dropped from over 61,000 a decade ago to 51,393 students today, reflecting a broader statewide trend of declining enrollment in large metropolitan districts.
Proposed student reassignments
If the board approves the closures, Montgomery Elementary students will be transferred to Windcrest Elementary, located roughly three miles away. Dellview students will move to Colonial Hills Elementary, about 1.7 miles from their current school, while Oak Grove students will attend Regency Place Elementary, a mile away. Jarrett emphasized that transportation will be provided and that bus routes are being reviewed to keep walking distances under a quarter mile.
Staffing and support
Jarrett said most Montgomery teachers will have positions at the receiving campus, and no layoffs are planned for staff at the three schools under consideration. Principals, such as Montgomery’s Terry Click, are typically reassigned to open principal vacancies or to co‑lead at the receiving school until a permanent position becomes available.
Potential new uses for the campuses
Should Montgomery close, the district is exploring several community‑focused options for the site, including a reduced‑cost childcare center, an event space for rent, a discovery learning center, or a hub for adult and community education programs.
Financial pressures driving the proposal
NEISD is confronting a $20 million budget deficit. Closing the three elementary schools is projected to save $4.06 million. The district previously closed two elementary schools and one middle school at the end of the 2024‑25 school year, saving about $6.6 million. This year’s enrollment fell 1,700 students beyond the district’s budgeted expectations, further straining finances.
Root causes of enrollment decline
Jarrett cited several factors for the enrollment drop, including higher housing costs, an aging population, and a steep decline in birth rates that began around 2008. According to Texas state demographer Lloyd Potter, the Hispanic population in particular has seen a notable decline in birth rates, contributing to fewer school‑age children in Bexar County. Potter noted that 70 percent of NEISD families now have no school‑age children.
Competition from school choice options
Over the past few years, more than 10,000 students have left NEISD, with roughly 8,000 enrolling in charter schools. About 2,000 families are using Texas Education Freedom Accounts, which allow state funds to be applied toward private school tuition. In response, NEISD opened its boundaries to attract new students, adding 386 enrollments for the 2026‑27 school year. The district is also expanding magnet programs, career‑technical tracks, and early‑college high schools to remain competitive.
Future outlook
Jarrett warned that additional schools could face closure if enrollment trends continue. The district has identified 16 other campuses that meet closure criteria but has deferred action on them for now, citing recent disruptions from prior consolidations.
Parents like Katie McCart, who lives near Montgomery, expressed mixed feelings. While she is willing to transfer her children to Windcrest if teachers move with them, she noted the emotional impact of changing schools and losing familiar routines.
NEISD officials plan to meet with affected families again in January to finalize transition plans and address concerns about transportation, special‑education services, dual‑language programs, school choice options, and nutrition services.
Original reporting: San Antonio Report — read the source article.
