Amy-Lisa Hyde sat quietly with her two children, Dylan and Annalise, as Arlington ISD officials shuffled in front of large projectors.
The siblings currently attend Blanton Elementary. Sitting in the school’s packed cafeteria Wednesday night, their mother listened as district officials said her children might have to attend a different school next year if trustees decide to shutter Blanton.
“I understand why, however, we weren’t prepared for it,” Hyde said.
Trustees first publicly discussed a possible closure last week, as the school’s building continues to deteriorate, academic performance declines and attendance nears 50%.
If they decide to close the school after the current school year ends, the board will need to notify the Texas Education Agency before the end of the month.
During the Wednesday night meeting, officials gave parents a look into what the future could hold for Blanton students.
Chief Operations Officer Michael Hill presented a list of nearby schools where students could be rezoned should Blanton close.
Michael Hill, Arlington ISD chief operations officer, helps Blanton Elementary School parents attending a Jan. 14 school closure meeting understand a map highlighting which zones will possibly be moved to one of four schools. (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report)
That list included Burgin, Crow, Goodman and Swift elementaries.
A large concern for Hyde, echoed by others in the crowd, was the specialized programs at each campus.
Both of her children are currently enrolled in specialized programs, one in gifted and talented classes and the other in special education.
Hyde said she was concerned that her children would need to go to separate schools if the school they were currently zoned for did not offer both programs.
“There are parents that have two, three or four kids, and each kid has different needs,” Hyde said. “We’re concerned about being put in a school that does not accommodate the needs for all of our children, as this one did.”
Chief Schools Officer Bret Champion told the crowd that students would be appropriately placed in schools to meet their needs.
Arlington ISD mother Silvia Rivera listens to the school closure meeting Jan. 14 at Blanton Elementary School in Arlington. With two students attending the school, Rivera said she felt confused at the news but wants what is best for her kids. (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report)
Another concern raised was transportation.
Currently, the school district offers transportation to students who live at least 2 miles away from the school to which they are zoned.
Adrienne Cannon, a parent of two kids at Blanton, said she was concerned for families that usually walked their children to school, as well as those who live just inside the 2-mile mark.
“Even if you live right on the cusp, that’s a long walk,” Cannon said. “Nobody wants to do that long walk in the wintertime.”
A point of contention for members of the Blanton community was how the school’s infrastructure had gotten to the point that it warranted a closure.
Board President Justin Chapa, who attended the meeting alongside board members Sarah McMurrough and Brooklyn Richardson, said the district had been working to put funds toward maintaining the building, but the funds were spread too thin.
“We have been working very hard to put as much resources toward schools like Blanton as we could, but we had many Blantons,” Chapa told the crowd.
The topic of a closure for the school will be discussed at a special-called meeting 6:30 p.m. Jan. 20, Superintendent Matt Smith said.
Arlington ISD school board President Justin Chapa, left, and Superintendent Matt Smith listen to parents’ questions during a school closure meeting Jan. 14 at Blanton Elementary School in Arlington. Various AISD leaders spoke about the school’s dropping enrollment, low academic performance and its deteriorating building. (Christine Vo | Fort Worth Report)
“My job is to create exceptional experiences for every student,” Smith told parents. “When I have a facility in significant need of repair, have declining enrollment, and I’m concerned about the opportunities for students in the future, and the academic performance has been declining over the past 10 years, I had to ask myself and the team if we were truly providing something exceptional. The answer to that, unfortunately, is I think we can do better.”
Chris Moss is a reporter for the Arlington Report. Contact him at chris.moss@arlingtonreport.org.
At the Arlington Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here.
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