Seven Fort Bend ISD elementary schools will close next year after the district’s board of trustees narrowly voted 4-3 Monday night, citing declining enrollment and ongoing budget pressures.
The elementary schools slated for closure include: Austin Parkway, Dulles, Fleming, Glover, Mission West, Ridgegate and Sugar Mill. While many families raised concerns about longer commute times and disruptions to learning environments, district leaders said the move is necessary to make more efficient use of campus space and district resources.
Trustees debated the proposal for more than an hour before the vote, arguing over whether to consider each school individually or approve the plan in one sweeping motion. Trustee Angie Hanan introduced several amendments aimed at pulling certain schools off the list for separate reconsideration, but the motions failed…