How Aldine ISD’s proposal to close 7 schools would impact thousands of students

Aldine ISD’s proposal to close seven campuses at the end of the school year would spread about 3,400 elementary and middle students to new buildings throughout the district, a major change for children and families.

District leaders say the closures would save an estimated $32.5 million annually, helping to close a large budget deficit largely caused by declining enrollment and no major increases in state funding. Aldine leaders previously closed three schools last year, leaving the district with about 75 campuses.

Aldine trustees expect to vote on the proposals in late February. If approved, the district will begin community meetings to inform families about closures ahead of the 2025-26 school year. 

Here’s a breakdown of which schools are recommended for closure, where students would go and why Aldine leaders chose the seven campuses. The information mostly comes from a district presentation given during a school board meeting Tuesday.

Stovall EC/PK/K School

Enrollment size: 450 students attending early childhood, prekindergarten and kindergarten classes.

Where students would go: Spread across Reece Academy (1.2 miles to the southeast); Vines EC/PK/K School (2.3 miles south); and Kujawa EC/PK/K School (about 5 miles north).

Reasons for closure: Enrollment has declined by 26 percent over the past five years; the building is operating at 60 percent capacity; the three campuses taking in students would operate at nearly 100 percent capacity; closure would save an estimated $4.2 million annually.

De Santiago EC/PK/K School

Enrollment size: 574 students attending early childhood, prekindergarten and kindergarten classes.

Where students would go: Spread across Griggs EC/PK/K School (3.3 miles northeast); Hinojosa EC/PK/K School (2 miles south), Keeble EC/PK/K School (6 miles south) and Vardeman EC/PK/K School (3.5 miles southeast). 

Distance of new school(s) from campus: Enrollment has declined 27 percent over the past five years; some of the rezoned schools have newer facilities than de Santiago; most campuses taking in students would operate at nearly 100 percent capacity; closure would save an estimated $4.4 million annually.

Eckert Elementary School

Enrollment size: 455 students in grades 1 through 5

Where students would go: Reed Academy (2 miles south); Calvert Elementary School (1.5 miles north); and Marcella Elementary School (2.3 miles west)

Reason for closure: Enrollment has declined 37 percent over the past five years; the building is operating at 53 percent capacity, lower than the three schools Eckert Elementary students would attend; campuses taking in students would operate at about 80 to 95 percent capacity.

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Oleson Elementary School

Enrollment size: 412 students in grades 1 through 5

Where students would go: Johnson Elementary School (2.5 miles northeast)

Reason for closure: Enrollment has declined 38 percent over the past five years; the building is operating at 48 percent capacity; Johnson Elementary would operate at 94 percent capacity; closure would save an estimated $3.9 million annually.

Raymond Elementary School

Enrollment size: 298 students in grades 1 through 5

Where students would go: Spread across Stephens Elementary School (1.4 miles southeast); Worsham Elementary School (3 miles south); and Carroll Elementary School (4.5 miles southwest).

Reason for closure: Enrollment has declined 54 percent over the past five years; the building is operating at 36 percent capacity; the schools taking in students would operate at 67 to 87 percent capacity; closure would save an estimated $3.4 million annually.

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Smith Elementary School

Enrollment size: 553 students in grades 1 through 5 

Where students would go: Students would be rezoned to Ermel Elementary School (2.7 miles northwest), Harris Elementary School (1.5 miles east) or Caraway Elementary School (2.8 miles northeast).

Reason for closure: Campus facility is older and in worse condition than neighboring elementary schools; closure would save an estimated $5.1 million annually.

Potential alternate plans: District administrators offered a second recommendation that would involve moving students to the building housing Hoffman Middle School, which shares a parking lot with Smith Elementary. Hoffman Middle is recommended for closure.

Hoffman Middle School

Enrollment size: 642 students in grades 6 through 8 

Where students would go: Split between Garcia Middle School (5.5 miles northeast) and Drew Academy (2.3 miles east). Drew Academy would add sixth grade classes.

Reason for closure: Enrollment has declined 44 percent of the past five years; the building is operating at 55 percent capacity; Drew Academy would operate at 56 percent capacity and Garcia Middle would operate at 88 percent capacity after the change; closure would save an estimated $6.9 million annually.

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