HOUSTON — The state-appointed board of managers for Houston Independent School District voted unanimously Thursday night to close 12 schools at the end of the 2025-2026 school year, sparking emotional reactions from parents, students, and community members.
Nearly 80 speakers addressed the board during the meeting, expressing opposition to the closures. Some incidents escalated, with one parent physically removed by HISD police and others engaging in verbal confrontations. The board briefly recessed to calm the crowd.
State-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles had recommended the closures, citing aging infrastructure and declining enrollment. District officials previously paused closure plans in December. The move is part of ongoing efforts to consolidate students into newly built or renovated campuses, following a $4.4 billion bond proposal rejected by voters in 2024.
The schools slated for closure include Alcott, Briscoe, Burrus, Franklin, Henderson NQ, Port Houston, Ross, Cage, Fleming, McReynolds, Hobby, and Gulfton Middle College. Students will be transferred to nearby campuses, though some transfers, like from Port Houston to Pleasantville Elementary, have raised concerns over longer commutes and lower-rated facilities. Shuttle buses will now be provided to ease transportation.
Local officials and elected HISD trustees criticized the board for lack of community engagement, noting that the district regulation requires public input before school closures. State Sens. Carol Alvarado, Borris Miles, and Molly Cook, along with Houston City Council members, urged the board to delay the vote to ensure transparency and stakeholder involvement.
Miles emphasized that closures were driven primarily by facilities’ conditions rather than academic performance, noting that renovations can cost up to $40 million and rebuilding nearly double that. Parents expressed frustration, saying older schools like Port Houston should be renovated rather than closed, citing the impact on families and neighborhood communities.
