The Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD decided Thursday to shut down four schools next school year, a decision also faced by two dozen other school districts across Texas. The district blamed Texas lawmakers for a lack of money for schools and declining enrollment as fewer young adults choose to have children.
We've heard the same story from districts for months: With declining enrollment, a lack of state money, and increasing costs, districts are forced to make hard decisions about campuses.
"With every system improvement, cost saving measure, and process change, we have wound up in the position that no single district wants to be in," said Tara Hrbacek, board member.
The frustration we heard was the same, but the voices were a little younger at this board meeting.
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"They are getting friends, this is Carrollton's spirit, if we close schools it is doing harm," said one student.
McCoy Elementary is home to the district's LEAP program for the highly gifted. Its students kept addressing board members with eloquent arguments for their school to stay open.
"Beyond the practical concerns, many parents feel a deep emotional connection to these schools. They have played an integral role in their families' lives," said another student.
After a three-hour meeting, the board voted to close McCoy and three other schools.
Central and Furneaux elementary schools and Long Middle School will close next year. The district cites more than 10 years of declining enrollment, nearly 10,000 empty seats, and no sign that those numbers will change.
"I know everyone says my school is special, my community is special, I get that, but I don't think this is good for the district's budget," said Candace Valenzuela, parent of a McCoy Elementary student.
The data may have been there to justify the closure, but it did nothing to ease the pain of parents who fought hard to keep their kids on the only campuses many of them have ever known.
Parents talked about everything from lawsuits to pulling their children out of the district.