This browser does not support the Video element.
McKinney ISD votes to close 3 elementary schools
McKinney ISD voted to close three elementary schools by the 2026–2027 school year, a move intended to save the district about $3 million annually and correct a student imbalance partly caused by unaffordable housing leading to low enrollment in some areas.
McKINNEY, Texas - Another North Texas school district is consolidating campuses in an effort to save money and correct a student imbalance.
The McKinney ISD school board just voted to close three of its elementary schools ahead of the 2026–2027 school year.
Campuses affected
What we know:
The district announced the three schools on the chopping block for the first time being:
- C.T. Eddins Elementary School
- Arthur H. McNeil Elementary School
- Earl & Lottie Wolford Elementary School.
The school board says that a committee formed by the district found that home prices in the southwest part of the community have gotten so high that many new families can’t afford to live there, leaving a shortage in the student population.
At the same time, enrollment is declining at schools in the areas south of Highway 380 and west of U.S. Highway 75, creating an imbalance in student distribution.
McKinney ISD said it doesn’t want to spend money on operating costs and staffing at underutilized campuses. At one point, the district was looking at a $23 million deficit and while they’ve been finding ways to close that gap, the district says they can’t reduce staff any further.
By closing down three schools and repurposing them, the district could save about $3 million annually.
Parents pushback and board response
Local perspective:
Some parents argue it isn’t worth the disruption it will cause students. And while districts closing schools in order to close the gap in funding is nothing new, what is a bit different about McKinney is the reason the district isn’t seeing new students.
At the district meeting, parents are voicing their frustrations.
"Tonight is a line in the sand. Do you support decision, common sense and integrity. as politicians, you are what your voting record says you are. So I urge each of you to avoid having your legacy tarnished by shutting down two of our top-rated schools and taking pause to get this decision right," said one parent.
"I understand your trust level is low right now but I assure you that every one of our students is going to be taken care of. I promise you that," said one McKinney ISD trustee.
What's next:
The district says that any staff member that is displaced because of the school closures will be guaranteed a job somewhere else within the district.
The Source: The information in this story comes from a post on the McKinney Independent School District's Facebook page.