Parents Call Out ‘Sham’ as More North Texas Schools Are Set to Close

The Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District (GCISD) board voted on Wednesday to close two elementary schools in the district for the 2026 – 2027 school year, despite widespread community opposition. 

The two schools, Dove and Bransford Elementary Schools, are closing for the same reasons as many others across North Texas: decreasing enrollment and budget deficits. 

“This summer, when the legislative session closed and gave no financial relief to our district and when we began school 200 students down from what was projected, at that point the charge was refined,” GCISD board president Shannon Braun said during an October board meeting.

GCISD, like many other districts in the area, is struggling under a several-million-dollar budget deficit, and schools across the nation are witnessing the latent effects of decreasing birth rates and families moving out of their area.

“This is not the GCISD that I used to be proud of,” said parent Marissa Perry at the board meeting. “This is not the GCISD that I moved here for. This is a sham.”

The board, which was divided on the issue, eventually voted 5-2 in favor. 

“This is painful,” said Braun. “We were elected to lead. And we were elected to make hard choices that protect the long-term health and excellence of our schools. And the truth is that there is no viable alternative.” 

Other Campuses Are Closing, Even Booming Ones

School closures have become a harsh reality for many North Texas school districts, which operate under considerable financial constraints. 

Earlier this month, McKinney ISD approved closing three elementary schools by the end of the 2026 – 2027 school year. Lewisville ISD shuttered five schools for this current school year. Over the next three years, Fort Worth ISD will close 18 of its campuses. 

Even districts in regions noted for significant population growth are not immune to school closures. Plano ISD, regarded as one of the best districts in the state in many areas, closed four schools in May. Recently, Frisco ISD, another attractive district to many, approved the closure of a middle school, despite Frisco’s deputy superintendent telling KERA last year that the district had been growing by 3,000 students per year for 15 years.

A rare case of a potential school closing not coming to fruition in North Texas recently was Town Center Elementary, a Coppell ISD elementary school, which the district protected in response to public outcry. 

“Our district will now explore other measures to address the significant budget challenges we continue to face,” CISD said in an October press release. “These decisions are not easy and will require thoughtful consideration to ensure we protect the long-term financial stability and educational excellence of Coppell ISD… we will work to keep all stakeholders informed and to ensure the impact on students is as minimal as possible.”  

One District Opts To Repurpose Buildings

When a campus closes, the students are absorbed by other campuses, buses are rerouted and in place of a former community hub stands a vacant and large building. Sometimes, empty schools are leased out or sold for other ventures. Other times, they’re just left alone. 

But the last three schools announced to close in McKinney ISD will be repurposed for other district uses. 

“We know this decision carries deep emotion,” said Shawn Pratt, McKinney ISD Superintendent, in a statement. “Our schools are more than buildings — they are communities filled with relationships, memories, and traditions. This decision was made only after thoughtful planning and a clear understanding of the challenges facing our district.” 

School Closures Are Likely To Continue

Most districts in North Texas, and across the state, are operating under huge financial constraints as the legislature-controlled public education funding system lags far behind the inflation rate. For the first time in a long time, the state approved an increase in the basic student allotment, the primary funding system for public schools, of around $100 per student. 

However, the increase, which critics argue is insufficient, comes as some districts still have no choice but to close campuses. On top of that, the state’s controversial school voucher program opened applications this week and will begin allotting portions of the $1 billion it set aside to fund the program in the new year. 

“Remember this day next time a school closes in your neighborhood,” state Rep. James Talarico said at a news conference the day school vouchers passed. “… Remember this day next time your local property taxes rise because the state government is not doing its fair share of school funding. And if recession comes and we are forced to make even deeper cuts to public education, remember this day.”