Fort Worth ISD Considers Closing 18 Schools Due to Budget Deficit and Declining Enrollment

School District Facing Major Decisions

• 🎯 Fort Worth ISD, the second-largest district in North Texas, is facing a critical decision on whether to close or consolidate 18 campuses.
• 🗓️ The school board is expected to vote on this plan, which could significantly impact thousands of families and require a new plan for student attendance.

Financial Pressures and Proposed Savings

• 💰 The proposed closures and consolidations are primarily driven by a need to address a nearly $18 million deficit for the 2024-2025 school year.
• 📈 Fort Worth ISD anticipates that closing these 18 schools could result in savings of $77.3 million, according to its facilities master plan.

Community Concerns and Superintendent's Statement

• 🗣️ Parents have expressed strong opposition to the proposal, with some urging the district to improve existing schools before considering closures.
• 💬 Superintendent Dr. Karen Molinar stated the proposal aims to build a better future for students, but parents feel it's an act of bad faith.

Enrollment Trends and Contributing Factors

• 📉 Fort Worth ISD has experienced a 15% decline in enrollment since 2020 and expects an additional 8% drop by 2029.
• 👶 This decline is attributed to dropping birth rates, a trend observed across Texas, including districts like Keller and Plano.
• 🏘️ Increasing average home prices in Fort Worth, compared to booming districts to the north, may also be causing some families to relocate, further impacting enrollment.

Broader District Impact

• 🏫 Plano ISD, also facing shrinking enrollment and declining birth rates, is closing four campuses at the end of the school year as a consequence.
• 📍 The decision in Fort Worth ISD comes as the city itself continues to grow, having surpassed one million residents and becoming the 11th largest city in the country.