Carrollton Farmers Branch ISD considers closing 4 schools, 2 other districts making cuts
Carrollton Farmers Branch ISD consolidating?
More North Texas public schools may be closing as their districts struggle with tighter budgets and decreasing enrollment. Currently, the Carrollton Farmers Branch, Northwest, and Allen school districts are making difficult decisions.
CARROLLTON, Texas - More North Texas public schools may be closing as their districts struggle with tighter budgets and decreasing enrollment.
Carrollton Farmers Branch ISD School Closures
What we know:
The Carrollton Farmers Branch Independent School District is looking to shut down four schools: Furneaux Elementary, Central Elementary, McCoy Elementary, and Long Middle School.
The four schools were on a list presented to the school board on Thursday night.
"There is no way around the difficult conversation that we have to have tonight. But the real conversation that we're facing is that for the last two years in 2023 and 2024, he have adopted deficit budgets," said Superintendent Wendy Eldredge. "24 of our 34 schools are only utilized at 75% capacity or less. Some of our buildings are outdated, and they do not foster the safe and dynamic learning spaces that we need today and in the future."
What they're saying:
Multiple parents spoke during the meeting, mostly representing McCoy Elementary.
"You may be able to move our program, but can you assure us that our kids will be able to learn and grow from each other anywhere else," asked a parent whose child is in the LEAP program at McCoy. "While we value the education they are receiving from our outstanding teachers, their friendships and interactions with kids from diverse backgrounds and abilities are also our utmost concern."
"The inventory of single family homes in the DFW area is at its highest level in years. If enrollment numbers are a concern, then this is an opportunity for our district to differentiate, differentiate itself and attract young families to the area," said Brady Barnett, a concerned McCoy parent.
Carrollton-Farmers Branch considers closing four schools
More North Texas schools may be closing as districts struggle with tighter budgets and decreasing enrollment. Here's a look at the tough decisions district leaders must make.
While it's true the North Texas population is growing, the growth patterns are changing with families moving to other parts of the area.
And there is the fiscal elephant in the room. Texas lawmakers have not increased funding for public schools since 2019.
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What's next:
There will be community listening sessions for each school starting next week.
The board plans to vote on the proposal at its March 6 meeting.
If approved, Furneaux would become a pre-K center. McCoy would be sold. And the two other schools would be used as temporary classroom space when other campuses are being renovated.
Carrollton Farmers Branch ISD said the closure plan would save the district $9 million per year.
There’s also a recommendation to consider new attendance zones for virtually all of the district’s schools due to population and demographic shifts.
Northwest ISD Staffing Cuts
What we know:
Northwest ISD, meanwhile, has a plan to cut 101 positions and put more students in classrooms to try and manage a budget shortfall of $16 million.
The district said it’s struggling with what it calls the ongoing challenge brought in by the statewide school funding crisis.
Northwest ISD hopes the personnel cutbacks will be accomplished through resignations and retirement rather than layoffs.
Northwest ISD serves communities in Denton, Tarrant, and Wise counties.
Allen ISD Budget Cuts
What we know:
In Allen, the school district is encouraging its families and community members to advocate for increased school funding by reaching out to their elected officials.
The district made an $8 million reduction in spending for this school year and anticipates an additional $6 to $8 million in cuts for the 2025-2026 school year.
Those cuts may mean staff reductions at the campus level.
Allen ISD cites challenges with inflation, declining enrollment, and inadequate funding.
The Source: The information in this story comes from a news release from the Carrollton Farmers Branch ISD, as well as letters to parents in Allen ISD and Northwest ISD.