San Antonio Faces School Closures Amid Financial Challenges
Who?
The North East Independent School District (NEISD), San Antonio’s second-largest school district, is considering closing three schools as it grapples with financial strain and declining student enrollment.
What?
At a recent board meeting, district officials suggested the closure of Driscoll Middle School, Wilshire Elementary School, and Clear Spring Elementary School. The recommendation comes as part of an effort to address a projected $41 million budget shortfall for the next year. The decision follows a strategic recommendation made by the district’s efficiency committee, which evaluated schools based on various criteria.
Where?
These schools are located within the North East Independent School District, specifically in the Bexar County area of San Antonio, Texas.
When?
The board’s final vote on the proposed closures is scheduled for February, following a series of community meetings aimed at gathering input from local residents and stakeholders.
Why?
The primary reasons for the closure considerations include a significant drop in enrollment, which has led to schools operating below capacity. Over the past decade, NEISD has lost approximately 11,000 students. Current enrollment stands at about 56,262 students across 70 campuses, with some schools far exceeding their operational costs per student.
NEISD’s executive director of finance, Susan Lackhorn, stated that the district is looking to close those campuses that require twice the funding compared to others, emphasizing the financial disparities. For instance, Driscoll Middle School has seen a 41% drop in students over the past ten years, currently serving only 534 students with a per-student cost nearing $11,000. In contrast, the average operational cost across the district is about $8,121.
Wilshire Elementary, which has lost 43% of its students since the 2014-2015 school year, operates at just 32% capacity. Clear Spring Elementary has also experienced a 27% decline in enrollment. The financial difficulties for the district have intensified due to stagnant revenue rates since 2019 and rising costs.
Superintendent Sean Maika expressed his hope that the community would view the potential closures positively, as opportunities for better efficiency and programming could arise from the consolidations. He pointed out that smaller schools often struggle to provide a more diverse educational experience.
Board members acknowledged the difficult but necessary nature of these potential closures. Trustee Terri Chidgey reflected that while the community may mourn the loss, it is essential to act responsibly in order to ensure the future viability of the district.
Community input is crucial, and the district plans to host meetings to discuss the potential impacts on special programs and logistics such as transportation. The future of feeder patterns and how they may change in light of these closures will also be assessed during this time.
As the NEISD seeks resolutions to its financial dilemmas, it joins other local school districts who have previously made similar decisions to close schools. The ongoing trend raises concerns regarding educational accessibility, particularly for families in the urban cores, as suburban districts nearby continue to thrive with new enrollments.
As the impending deadline approaches, NEISD remains committed to transparency, and updates will be shared on the district’s website to keep the community informed.
