The latest round of closures was confirmed Thursday night, when the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District board voted to shut down four campuses.
PLANO, Texas — Several school districts across North Texas are grappling with funding issues and dips in enrollment. As a result, more than a dozen schools are being closed at the end of this school year.
The latest round of closures was confirmed Thursday night, when the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District board voted to shut down four campuses. Plano and Lewisville school districts have also made similar decisions. And the Richardson Independent School District voted to close several schools last year.
Here’s the latest list of recent school closures in North Texas:
Closed after last year
Richardson ISD
- Greenwood Hills Elementary
- Springridge Elementary
- Spring Valley Elementary
- Thurgood Marshall Elementary
- Dobie Pre-K
Reasoning: RISD believed “Project Rightsize” would save $10.8 million in operating costs. It would also result in around $10 million of one-time funds. The district had more than 9,000 empty seats in its elementary school model. Also, the district had not received more state funding per pupil since before the pandemic despite inflation, which Superintendent Tabitha Branum said was the fault of the legislature and the reason for the cuts.
Closing after this school year
Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD
- Central Elementary
- McCoy Elementary
- Furneaux Elementary
- Long Middle School
Reasoning: District staff said CFBISD is simply facing significant money and enrollment problems, noting state funding per student hasn’t gone up in six years. The district currently has 9,800 empty desks, according to officials, who say the consolidation plan will save the district $9 million in the first year alone.
Plano ISD
- Davis Elementary
- Forman Elementary
- Armstrong Middle
- Carpenter Middle
Reasoning: Plano ISD’s enrollment has been declining for 12 straight years, and demographers do not believe the trend will end. A few things are to blame, but namely the cost of living in Plano. The district says the average home price is $584,000. Plano ISD says school districts to the north have cheaper houses and growing enrollments.
In addition, birth rates in Plano are declining so kindergarten classes are now smaller than graduating classes.
Lewisville ISD
- Garden Ridge Elementary
- Creekside Elementary
- Highland Village Elementary
- B.B. Owen Elementary
- Polser Elementary STEM Academy
Reasoning: Lewisville ISD said the closures are in response to ongoing budget challenges caused by declining enrollment and the state legislature’s failure to update school funding formulas to account for inflation.
“This was an incredibly difficult decision, and it’s one none of us ever wanted to face,” said Board of Trustees President Jenny Proznik. “The outpouring of support for our schools from families during this process has been a testament to the deep care and passion our community has for each campus.”
