Ashlea Pierce joined other Arlington ISD parents in voicing concern over the motives to transition sixth grade from the elementary to junior high level.
“I’m not sure student experience is given the same priority in other educational decisions. Was there a movement of sixth graders who contacted the district and said they were unhappy?” Pierce told trustees.
Trustees on Tuesday approved the move in a 5-2 vote, with trustees David Wilbanks and Melody Fowler dissenting. The transition will not occur in the new school year and at its earliest could be introduced for 2027-28, the trustees said.
Parents in attendance said that the transition was pitched to the board from the lens of student experience when the change is being driven by budget issues.
“If we pulled fifth graders, they would also think their experience would be enhanced by having driver’s licenses, but we, as adults with fully formed brains, know that that is not in their best interest,” Pierce said.
Trustees emphasized enrollment declines played a role. Trustee Larry Mike acknowledged parents’ worries, and noted Gunn Junior High Fine Arts and Dual Language Academy has sixth through eighth grades.
“We have living proof right here in Arlington that sixth graders can thrive in junior high when the setting is intentional,” Mike said. “(Gunn Junior High) is delivering strong results in achievement, progress, and closing gaps. That success is inspiring. It shows us what’s possible when we combine high expectations with the right support.”
Wilbanks and Fowler said they were concerned for the academic, social and emotional well-being of sixth-grade students.
“Let me be clear what happens after the vote. This measure will pass, and if it does, it will have my full unwavering support,” Wilbanks said before the vote. “I’ll work as hard as anyone in this room to make sure this transition is a success.”
Research leading to the recommendation was gathered over a span of a year and conducted by a committee of parents, teachers and administrators — as well as through a series of student panels.
The committee concluded that the factors most impacted by a possible transition would be curriculum and instruction, facilities, social and emotional learning, advanced academics and fine arts.
However, trustees said that the benefit of the transition would outweigh overall transitional impacts.
Enrollment projections presented at an AISD board meeting in late May showed that some campuses could see their functional facility usage drop below 50%. Wilbanks expressed then that an environment of empty classrooms would poorly impact the student experience.
Parents said they felt the research was rushed because of looming budget issues. Others felt the research did not properly represent the entire district, or had a lack of educator input. Many expressed concerns over the impact of a quick transition, with little to no preparation time available.
“Where is the data showing that scores reliably rebound after that transition? And if financial considerations are a significant factor in this recommendation, can we be more transparent about that reality?” parent Meridyth Wages said. “These are not criticisms; they are questions that deserve thoughtful answers before a decision with long-term consequences is made.”
Before the vote, trustees addressed concerns over the transition being solely based on the district’s current financial issues.
“This is not even primarily or secondarily a cost-savings approach. It’s an efficiency approach,” trustee Justin Chapa said. “It’s hard to continue to offer access and opportunities to students at some of our elementary campuses that have 250 students in them … we can’t close our way out of the deficit.”
The closure of Blanton Elementary saves the district $2.5 million, according to district data. Next year, AISD faces a nearly $60 million budget shortfall.
Trustee Brooklyn Richardson said financial issues are driving the decision, but they are not the only reason for moving sixth grade. Although per-student funding increased slightly, the adjustment was not enough for the district to keep up with inflation, she said.
Other major decisions — including potentially closing schools — are coming as a result, she said.
“All of those things are going to have to happen, even if we move sixth grade up,” Richardson said.
Before the vote, board President Sarah McMurrough said trustees would continue to take community feedback after the decision and apply it.
“Our vision is to create exceptional learning experiences that inspire all students, empower their dreams, and prepare them for the future,” McMurrough said. “My hope is that we hold so tightly to that vision through both the smooth and the choppy waters.”
Bianca Rodriguez-Mora is a reporting fellow for the Fort Worth Report. Contact her at bianca@fortworthreport.org.
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