The Houston Independent School District is set to vote Thursday night on whether to close or consolidate 12 schools across the district.
The vote is scheduled for 5 p.m. during the HISD Board of Managers meeting held at the HISD Board Auditorium, 4400 West 18th Street.
District leaders say the proposed closures are part of a broader effort to address declining enrollment, budget challenges and underused campuses. Several elementary and middle schools could be consolidated, with students reassigned to nearby campuses.
RELATED: Mayor Whitmire, Councilmember Pollard’s heated debate over HISD closures, and Mike Miles’ absence.
Under the proposal:
• N.Q. Henderson Elementary students would move to Bruce Elementary
• Port Houston Elementary students would also move to Bruce Elementary
• Fleming Middle School students would relocate to Mickey Leland College Preparatory Academy
• Rose Elementary students could move to Roosevelt Elementary or C. Martinez Elementary
• Burrus Elementary students would transition to Kennedy Elementary
• Franklin Elementary students would move to Gallegos Elementary
• Alcott Elementary students would attend Mading Elementary
• Hobby Elementary students would relocate to Lawton Middle School
• Cage Elementary students would move to Lantrip Elementary
• Briscoe Elementary students would transition to Carrillo Elementary
• Gulfton Middle College would relocate to a nearby campus
HISD officials have said most of the receiving campuses are located within a few miles of the schools slated for closure.
Still, many parents and community members have voiced concerns about transportation, class sizes, staff reassignment, and how the changes could affect specialized programs and school culture.
Here’s what we’ve learned so far from the Houston Independent School District.
Transportation Concerns
One parent, Felicia Matta, asked:
“Will the district be offering transportation for these students being relocated?”
HISD says transportation options will be shared with families as part of the transition planning process. Eligibility will be determined using the district’s current transportation criteria.
We asked the district for more specific details about bus routes and how transportation will work for affected students. So far, those questions have not been clearly answered.
For many families, students currently live within walking distance of their neighborhood school. If the proposed changes are approved, that would no longer be the case for some. While the district has stated that new campuses are only a few miles apart, the shift could still present challenges as families adjust to new bus routes and daily routines.
School Choice Deadline Extended
Another major concern: the School Choice program deadline, which was originally set for tomorrow.
HISD confirmed the deadline has now been extended to March 6 — one week later than initially scheduled.
That means parents who do not want their child to attend their newly assigned campus can still apply through the district’s School Choice program. However, families should keep in mind that the program operates on a lottery system, so placement is not guaranteed.
The new application deadline is March 6.
Special Education Services
Families also asked whether special education services will be available at receiving campuses — and whether programs not currently offered will be added if needed.
HISD says it remains committed to supporting students who receive special education services. When the closure announcement was made nearly two weeks ago, the district stated it would begin scheduling meetings with parents and offering opportunities for families to visit their newly assigned campuses to help ease the transition.
As families await final decisions and more detailed guidance, many say transportation logistics, program availability, and school choice options remain top of mind. We will continue pressing the district for clearer answers and updates as they become available.
We Want to Hear From You
If your child attends one of the schools impacted — or you live in one of the affected neighborhoods — what questions do you have? And how responsive has the district been in answering your questions?
• Are you concerned about transportation?
• Class size?
• Program changes?
• Staffing?
• Safety?
• Academic impact?
Email your questions to rturner@kprc.com and we may include them in our coverage.
Stay with KPRC 2 for updates on tonight’s vote and what it could mean for families across Houston.