Another North Texas public school district faced with campus closures

Another North Texas public school district has campus closures on the horizon. This time, it's Keller Independent School District.

The district reported enrollment has steadily dropped, which means less state funding. 

On Thursday, the Long-Range Planning Committee & Citizens Bond Advisory Committee will recommend that the board downsize the district by voting to close campuses. They will also recommend a bond package.

Ahead of the meeting, Keller ISD did not reveal which schools are on the chopping block or how many. The meeting is simply to discuss. No vote will be made. 

Closures would be effective for the 2027-2028 school year.

That committee meeting is at 5 p.m. at district headquarters and is open to the public. 

Here's what we know, according to a report from the superintendent:

• Enrollment has dropped by 1600 students since last school year.
• The district is projecting a continued steady decline in student enrollment for the next 10 years.
• By the 2029-2030 school year, the district projects a loss of $34 million in funding from the state.
• Keller ISD is currently not operating at full capacity, meaning many seats and classrooms are empty.

Keller ISD is not alone

Many districts across North Texas are attributing this decline in enrollment to many reasons. One of those is the state's new private school voucher program.

Texas Education Freedom Accounts could give the average family $10,000 for private school. According to the Texas Comptroller's office, nearly 275,000 families statewide have applied. 

Critics of the program claim it takes students and funding away from public education.