Fort Worth ISD is grappling with the difficult decision of potentially closing as many as 25 schools to combat growing issues like declining student enrollment.
At a school board workshop on February 11, trustees received a draft proposal outlining up to 48 options for closing and repurposing buildings. While no decisions have been made, the plans show a larger effort to “rightsize” the district and help allocate its limited resources to the most “impactful” schools.
“We’re trying to staff 140 buildings when we do not need that many buildings,” Interim Superintendent Karen Molinar said during the workshop on Tuesday. “When we do consolidate, we’re going to be able to increase the resources for our students.”
The proposal also suggests the closure of 14 to 21 elementary schools, up to three middle schools, and potentially one high school. Affected schools span across Fort Worth ISD’s entire network, with the Benbrook Middle-High School feeder being the only one exempt from the potential changes.
The school closures are being considered in response to a significant drop in enrollment.
Since reaching a peak of 87,233 students in the 2016-17 school year, Fort Worth ISD has lost nearly one in five students. By 2033, projections show the district’s enrollment could fall to 59,756 students—nearly 27,500 fewer students over 16 years, according to The Fort Worth Report. The sharp decline in enrollment is attributed to demographic shifts, lower birth rates, and fewer immigrant families moving into the district.
As a result, the district’s resources are spread thin, with many schools struggling to maintain a full staff.
The district has now formed a committee of over 100 community members to help guide the decision-making process, hoping that residents’ concerns are addressed before any final recommendations are made.
“This is difficult, I’ll be honest with you,” said trustee Wallace Bridges. He and others on the board have expressed a commitment to seeking feedback before moving forward with any closures.
The district’s plans have sparked strong reactions from some community members. Parents and teachers from Westcliff Elementary, one of the schools under consideration for closure, voiced their frustration during the meeting, pleading with the board to reconsider.
“Our little school over there is a hidden gem. No one wants their school to be closed,” he said. “I just ask the board to take the figures and remember the spirit that you heard from us tonight.” said Westcliff art teacher Kevin Wagoner.
However, these potential closures come just a month after the district announced plans to expand.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, In January, the district’s Board of Trustees approved nearly $12 million in spending to support “education, infrastructure, and student services.” This decision follows a December 2024 allocation of over $71.7 million, which included a $42 million contract for a new elementary school.