SAN ANTONIO — Five schools in Judson Independent School District in San Antonio are at risk of closure in the next few school years due to the district’s projected budget deficit of $35 million.
Parents and community members with Judson ISD spoke their minds at a committee meeting on Monday night about the potential decision, giving input on which campuses should close first.
District leaders said they aim to close four elementary schools and one middle school, but exactly which ones has yet to be fully decided. Daniel Brooks, assistant superintendent of operations, said the severity of the district’s financial decision could change the number of closures.
A decline in student enrollment in public school districts across Texas has led to less funding from the state government, increasing districts’ budget deficits and leading to consolidations. With this discussion, Judson adds itself to a growing list of Texas school districts facing budget shortfalls and making decisions to consolidate campuses.
North East Independent School District in San Antonio closed three schools in February 2025, facing a $39 million deficit. In November, Austin Independent School District voted to close 10 schools to tackle a shortfall of nearly $20 million. San Antonio ISD closed 15 schools in 2023 and will vote on one more this month. Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District faces similar concerns, ruling to consolidate two schools to battle a deficit of over $3 million.
Two campuses, Kirby Middle School and Park Village Elementary School, district leaders discussed closing received an F rating from the Texas Education Agency in the last three school years. These ratings measure how well students are learning in each grade and whether they are ready to move up in grade levels, according to the TEA website.