During a Monday school board meeting, North East Independent School District trustees began a discussion on the possible closure of up to 16 elementary campuses. District spokesperson Aubrey Mike Chancellor explained that the district is facing a budget deficit caused by a steady decline in student enrollment.
Why the district is considering closures
Chancellor said the schools under review all meet three criteria: low utilization, a cost per student that is about 5% higher than the district average, and low enrollment numbers. “We’re in a deficit as enrollment continues to decrease. We have to look at making some tough decisions,” she said.
She also noted a demographic factor specific to the district: roughly 70% of residents in the area do not have school‑aged children, which further reduces the pool of potential students.
Community reaction
Parents and local residents voiced disappointment and concern. Luke Harris, whose two children attend Castle Hills Elementary, said he was “more than disappointed” to see the school on the list, though he was not surprised given the enrollment trends. “I think of charter schools and the private school vouchers. It doesn’t surprise me now. It’s awful. I went to school there. It’s a great school,” Harris added.
Prospective homebuyer Daniel Tenorio, who does not yet have children, said the proximity of Castle Hills Elementary was a major factor in his decision to purchase a house nearby. “A big factor was the school literally right across the street from the house. So we get there, the convenience, I love the area of Castle Hills, so that was a huge factor for me,” he explained. Learning that the school could close is causing him to reconsider his purchase.
District’s plan for any closures
Chancellor emphasized that the district intends to avoid leaving empty buildings in the community. “One goal throughout this entire process is not to leave an empty building for a community,” she said.
She also clarified that some schools on the list will not be considered for closure because they already host specialized programs or were affected by previous consolidations. “There are several that are on the lists that would not even be under consideration for closure or consolidation because they already have specialized programs or they were impacted by our last consolidations,” Chancellor noted.
Next steps
The district’s efficiency committee will evaluate each campus against the established criteria. Chancellor indicated that a recommendation on which schools, if any, will be closed could be presented to the board by December of this year.
Parents and community members are encouraged to stay informed and participate in upcoming public meetings, where the district will share more details about potential consolidation plans and alternative uses for any facilities that may be repurposed.
Original reporting: San Antonio, TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
