Fort Worth ISD board gives final approval to close 18 schools amid budget woes, enrollment decline
Fort Worth ISD's Board of Trustees on Tuesday approved a sweeping plan to close 14 additional campuses over the next four years, bringing the total number of closures to 18.
"This process itself was emotional, the decision was emotional, and the execution is going to be emotional," said Kellie Spencer, the district's deputy superintendent of operations.
District leaders said the closures are necessary to ensure long-term financial stability and to more equitably allocate resources across campuses. The district faces a $17 million budget shortfall and a steady decline in student enrollment.
Melony Watson said she has five children in Fort Worth ISD schools and is speaking on behalf of Parent Shield Fort Worth, an organization that represents hundreds of parents focused on improving education for their children.
She said the school board's decision to move forward with a plan to close 18 schools by 2029 is off-putting.
"It's not the bad schools per se, it's good schools that are up for closure," said Watson. "Why would an A-rated school be on the list to be closed in a county where we're struggling?"
According to the district, enrollment in Fort Worth ISD has dropped by more than 12,000 students in the past five years. Officials project a further decline of 6,500 students by 2030.
"And that was before this legislative session in which vouchers became a real thing," Spencer said. "So we don't know the impact that that could have on our future enrollment."
Despite Fort Worth being one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, several factors have contributed to the district's enrollment decline, including lower birth rates, increased homeschooling, more school choice options, and rising housing costs.
"Families just aren't moving anymore," Spencer said. "It's very expensive to do so. Housing options within the city limits of Fort Worth, particularly in this urban area, are very expensive. People who do own homes aren't selling them as they once did, as their children left home and families sometimes would downsize. We're not seeing that either. And so, it is an anomaly that there is growth, but it just isn't happening in our school district."
The closures begin next month, with two schools shutting down this summer. In total, 18 campuses, most of them elementary schools, are scheduled to close by June 2029.
"Because we're a declining enrollment district, difficult decisions had to be made in order to ensure that resources are being directed where they're needed most, and that's in classrooms," said Spencer. "And so we want to make sure that our money, our dollars, are being spent on students and not on unnecessary buildings."
The decision will save the district $77.3 million over those five years, according to FWISD. Those funds will be redirected to efforts that support student achievement, such as updated equipment, classroom supplies, and improved curriculum.
"We will see campuses fully staffed, fully trained, with appropriate resources for training for our teachers, appropriate, high-quality instructional materials are in all of our classrooms, and students are thriving," Spencer said.
District officials said they are committed to supporting affected students, families and staff throughout the transition by providing relocation assistance and organizing community engagement sessions to ensure a smooth and inclusive process.
Some of the soon-to-be-vacant buildings may be repurposed as schools of choice or community resource centers. In other cases, the structures may be demolished.
"We are committed to hanging on to that land, because that is one thing that certainly is—there's not any more being made," Spencer said. "And so it's possible that additional school sites will need to be available in the future, and so we want to make sure that future students have access to that land."
Fort Worth ISD hopes to determine the future use of each closed campus by this fall, though the process may extend into next spring.
"I'm concerned that we made a decision without having a plan made," Watson said.
Watson and the organization she represents wonder if more parents will now choose to leave the district.
"The plan itself is fluid," said Spencer. "We're going to continue to monitor the data, and if there is a resurgence of enrollment in particular areas or growth because of development, then we'll pivot."
Fort Worth ISD school closure timeline
June 2025
- S.S. Dillow Elementary (previously approved)
- Eastern Hills Elementary (previously approved)
June 2026
- Milton L. Kirkpatrick Elementary
- Charles E. Nash Elementary
- Riverside ALC
- Edward J. Briscoe Elementary
June 2027
- De Zavala Elementary
- A.M. Pate Elementary
- J.T. Stevens Elementary
- Atwood McDonald Elementary
June 2028
- McLean 6th Grade (previously approved)
- West Handley Elementary (previously approved)
- Harlean Beal Elementary
- H.V. Helbing Elementary
- Sunrise-McMillan Elementary
June 2029
- Kirkpatrick Middle
- Morningside Middle
- Hubbard Heights Elementary
Parents have strongly opposed the plan, especially the proposed closure of De Zavala Elementary - a campus with an A rating from the Texas Education Agency. Many critics argue the decision lacks transparency and question the rationale behind targeting high-performing schools for closure.
In a previous statement, FWISD Superintendent Dr. Karen Molinar said the plan is "about building a better future for our students."
"Our goal is to create learning environments that inspire success," Molinar said. "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 plan does not require additional financing or a new bond program.
Click here to see new attendance zones and more details from the board meeting.
