LA MARQUE, Texas – After having its accreditation revoked by the Texas Education Agency, the La Marque Independent School District could close in July. School administrators explained the situation to parents Sunday.
The school district plans to appeal the state's decision by presenting a plan explaining how it will improve.
"I know the kids have made tremendous progress and so I as really surprised at that result," La Marque ISD teacher Amy Wilson said.
According to the TEA, La Marque ISD is in trouble for poor academics and having financial accountability problems. The district scored a rating of academically unacceptable in 2011, and improvement required in the state's accountability rating system for 2013 and 2014.
TEA sent a letter to La Marque ISD's Superintendent Terri Watkins on Friday, saying in part:
"These ratings require me to assign the La Marque ISD a 2014-2015 status of Not Accredited-Revoked and to close the district effective July 1, 2015."
"I am a proud resident of the community," parent LaTisha Watson said "I have a daughter in the early childhood learning center. I believe in this district. I believe in the teachers. I believe in the administrators here."
Watkins and the district's board of trustees held a special meeting for the community Sunday.
With only about six months before the state shuts down the district, hundreds showed up to the meeting hopeful for a second chance to make the grade.
"Without the school district, without the school system, then we all fall," Wilson said.
If TEA rejects the accreditation appeal, La Marque ISD will close in July and students will be need to enroll in neighboring districts.