The Keller ISD Interim Superintendent, Cory Wilson, told the attendees at the March 26 board meeting that the Long-range Planning Committee is expected to make its recommendations next week.
Fousia Abdullahi
fousia.abdullahi@star-telegram.com
Keller Independent School District’s Long-range Planning Committee is expected to announce school closure recommendations at its final meeting April 2.
The committee will share the information with parents and teachers on which campuses will be closed and more detailed plans for consolidation amid the district’s financial and enrollment woes.
At a Jan. 22 board meeting, Interim Superintendent Cory Wilson shared a report with information on the low enrollment trend and the financial struggles the district is facing.
The district is expecting a $9.4 million budget shortfall for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Fort Worth resident Barnard Guerrero and his wife have been residents of the area for 18 years and had two children graduate from Keller High School. He said they’re optimistic the decisions will be made based on efficiency.
“We are hopeful that the committee is taking its work very seriously and that it’s going to be the appropriate schools that make the most sense that will actually be closed down,” Guerrero told the Star-Telegram at the meeting. “Rather than it being a matter of favoritism or involving any issues other than what makes sense.”
According to previous reporting, the district has about 30,000 students enrolled, but campus buildings are only 70% occupied, and it has about 2,661 high school seniors across four schools, but only 1,693 kindergarten students in the district.
At Thursday’s board meeting, Wilson said that over 100 people have given input into the decision.
“They’ve made me think, they’ve made me rethink, Wilson said. “They’ve challenged me to make sure that what I come up with is the best thing for the school district, and I appreciate them.”
Guerrero said that the community isn’t growing the way it did in previous years, causing the low enrollment numbers.
“Obviously, there are some campuses in some areas that are growing faster than others, and I think that obviously has to be taken into account,” Guerrero said.
Keller is not the only North Texas district facing school closures because of low enrollment. In January, , Carroll ISD made the decision to close Durham Intermediate School in fall 2027 and Fort Worth ISD is planning to close 18 campuses.
“We do plan on working again with our community and working with folks for feedback, because … you’re talking about closing campuses,” Wilson said at the meeting. “You’re talking about closing where kids are going to go to school, what that process looks like and we want to do it right, and we want to make sure everybody feels supported along the way.”
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Fousia Abdullahi is a Fort Worth Star-Telegram news reporter who covers suburban cities including Southlake, Colleyville, Grapevine and Keller. She enjoys reading and attending local events. Send tips by email or phone.