The Spring Branch (Texas) school board has voted to close two schools and cancel a partnership with some Houston-area charter schools.
KPRC-TV reports that Panda Path Pre-K and Treasure Forest Elementary School will close at the end of the school year. Board members voted 6-1 on each school closure.
Another item that passed is the cancellation of Spring Branch's choice program partnership with YES Prep and KIPP Schools.
The vote comes as the district is facing a $35 million budget deficit.
Spring Branch is blaming the budget shortfall on state leaders, “who throughout the entire 88th Legislative Session and four special sessions have failed to pass legislation to increase funding for public schools,” the district said in a statement.
“We are not in this position because we did not manage our money wisely or because we had too much spending during Covid,” dissenting board member Minda Caesar said. “This financial crisis is not about our actions or actions that the district has or hasn’t taken but rather the failure of state leadership to fully fund education.”
The district said students enrolled at the closing campuses will move to nearby campuses at the beginning of next school year.
