The Fort Worth (Texas) district has unveiled a five-year facilities plan that calls for closing or consolidating 18 small and under-enrolled schools.
The Fort Worth Star Telegram reports that the closures would save the district millions of dollars and enable it to redirect more money toward academic priorities.
If the plan is approved, the closures will begin at the end of academic year and continue through June 2029. Most of the campuses affected are elementary schools.
The proposal received pushback from parents worried about how the closures would affect their children's access to quality education. But other community members urged the board to move forward with the plan.
District leaders say they need to consolidate schools to keep up with declining enrollment. Since 2019-20, the district has lost about 15% of its enrollment. School leaders expect the district will continue to lose enrollment over the next five years.
Kellie Spencer, the district's deputy superintendent, said closing those schools would save the district about $10 million in support staffing costs over the next five years.
Superintendent Karen Molinar said the money the district saves through consolidation would go a long way toward helping the district expand programs like two-way bilingual classes and summer school.
The board is scheduled to vote on the plan on May 20.
