After the Houston Independent School District Board of Managers voted unanimously to close or consolidate 12 campuses, district leaders say they are beginning a districtwide transition plan aimed at helping families, students and staff prepare for the changes.
The 9–0 vote, approved late Thursday after hours of emotional public comment, will result in the closure of eight schools and the consolidation or co-location of four additional campuses at the end of the 2025–26 school year.
What HISD says comes next
According to the district, administrators will begin direct outreach to affected families, including phone calls to discuss student placement options, transportation planning and boundary changes for the 2026–27 school year.
HISD also says it will work with staff members at impacted campuses to determine reassignment options and timelines. District leaders have previously said teachers at affected schools will be notified about job placements by April 17.
Families are being directed to the district’s closure resources webpage and the updated 2026–27 School Zone Attendance Map, which allows parents to look up potential boundary changes by address.
Why the district says closures were necessary
Superintendent Mike Miles said the closures are tied to declining enrollment and the cost of maintaining underused buildings.
“Maintaining underutilized facilities diverts resources away from classrooms and student opportunities,” Miles said in a statement. “While difficult, this is a responsible step toward building a stronger and more sustainable Houston ISD.”
District officials argue the changes will allow HISD to better align staffing, improve programming and focus spending on instruction rather than aging facilities.
Parents say concerns remain
The announcement comes after parents packed Thursday’s board meeting, many saying they felt the decision had already been made before public comment began. Some parents told KPRC 2 they are now considering keeping children home in protest or leaving the district entirely.
Concerns raised include transportation safety, academic quality at receiving campuses and the emotional impact of uprooting students from neighborhood schools.
While HISD says it will continue engaging with affected communities, some parents say trust has already been damaged.
Where families can get information
HISD says families can:
- Visit the district’s closure resources page
- Use the School Locator map to check 2026–27 attendance zones
- Contact the Family Connections Center for assistance
The closures and consolidations will take effect at the end of the current school year.