Latest news with #EasternHillsES
CBS News
13-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Fort Worth ISD to review school closures as budget deficit prompts phased plan
Tuesday night, the Fort Worth Independent School District Board of Education will learn new details about a proposal to close 18 schools over the next four years in response to a $17 million budget deficit and steadily declining student enrollment. The district plans to present its finalized list of closures to the Board of Trustees during a special meeting Tuesday evening at 5:30 p.m. The majority of the campuses slated for closure are elementary schools. Only two, S.S. Dillow Elementary School and Eastern Hills Elementary School, will shut down at the end of this academic year. The remaining 16 closures would be phased in through June 2029. The board has already approved closing S.S. Dillow ES, Eastern Hills ES, McLean 6th Grade, and West Handley Elementary School. Trustees still have to vote to approve the other 14 on the list. The list and timeline of the proposed closures: Closure Date: June 2025 S.S. Dillow ES (Consolidation previously approved) Eastern Hills ES (Consolidation previously approved) Closure Date: June 2026 Milton L. Kirkpatrick ES Charles E. Nash ES Riverside ALC Edward J. Briscoe ES Closure Date: June 2027 De Zavala ES A.M. Pate ES J.T. Stevens ES Atwood McDonald ES Closure Date: June 2028 McLean 6th Grade (Consolidation previously approved) West Handley ES (Consolidation previously approved) Harlean Beal ES H.V. Helbing ES Sunrise-McMillan ES Closure Date: June 2029 Kirkpatrick MS Morningside MS Hubbard Heights ES According to documents, the district expects the closures to save Fort Worth ISD $77.3 million over the next five years. "This proposal is about building a better future for our students," said Superintendent Dr. Karen Molinar in a statement. "Our goal is to create learning environments that inspire success. By right-sizing and investing in our schools, we can ensure every student has access to the programs and resources they need to thrive." The proposed plan would not require additional financing or a new Bond program. "This is a difficult process, but it is one rooted in equity, academic impact, and fiscal responsibility," said Kellie Spencer, FWISD Deputy Superintendent, in a statement. "We're proposing a phased approach that allows for stability, forward planning, and community partnership. Smarter spaces mean stronger schools." Trustees aren't expected to vote on the recommendations for closure until next week on May 20.
CBS News
12-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Fort Worth ISD finalizes list of 18 total proposed school closures
The Fort Worth Independent School District has finalized a proposal to close 18 schools over the next four years in response to a $17 million budget deficit and steadily declining student enrollment, according to newly released district documents. The district plans to present its finalized list of closures to the Board of Trustees during a special meeting Tuesday evening at 5:30 p.m. The majority of the campuses slated for closure are elementary schools. Only two, S.S. Dillow Elementary School and Eastern Hills Elementary School, will shut down at the end of this academic year. The remaining 16 closures would be phased in through June 2029. The board has already approved closing S.S. Dillow ES, Eastern Hills ES, McLean 6th Grade, and West Handley Elementary School. Trustees still have to vote to approve the other 14 on the list. The list and timeline of the proposed closures: Closure date: June 2025 S.S. Dillow ES (Consolidation previously approved) Eastern Hills ES (Consolidation previously approved) Closure date: June 2026 Milton L. Kirkpatrick ES Charles E. Nash ES Riverside ALC Edward J. Briscoe ES Closure date: June 2027 De Zavala ES A.M. Pate ES J.T. Stevens ES Atwood McDonald ES Closure date: June 2028 McLean 6th Grade (Consolidation previously approved) West Handley ES (Consolidation previously approved) Harlean Beal ES H.V. Helbing ES Sunrise-McMillan ES Closure date: June 2029 Kirkpatrick MS Morningside MS Hubbard Heights ES "It was very devastating to find out that [De Zavala] was on the chopping block," said Stephany Velez, a parent and PTA president at De Zavala. "It's kind of a blow to the morale of the employees and the community of Fort Worth to close down such an amazing school that could potentially be the model for some of these other schools." According to documents, the district expects the closures to save Fort Worth ISD $77.3 million over the next five years. "A lot of the time, you just look at numbers on a sheet of paper and things can be very data-driven," she said. "I think the community at De Zavala has made its voice be known." Velez doesn't think it makes sense to close an A-rated school at a time when Fort Worth ISD's student performance is under scrutiny. She's rallying parents and neighbors to show up in full force at the next board meeting. "Maybe if we can make the same noise we can also let the community and the city and the state know that De Zavala shouldn't be closed," said Velez. Trustees aren't expected to vote on the recommendations for closure until next week on May 20th. The district said the list could change based on future enrollment trends.
