Photo: FRANCOIS PICARD / AFP / Getty Images
In a tense, heated school board meeting on Thursday night, Houston ISD School Board members ultimately voted to close twelve schools across the district.
The vote was unanimous at nine to zero. The district now says they are implementing a transition plan for the 2026-2027 school year for affected families and staff. Penty of people showed up for public comments, with one woman being removed after chastising the board and climbing atop the podium.
District officials presented findings at the various schools regarding enrollment data and facilities conditions, which they said justified the closures. They added that affected staff at the schools will not be affected and will be guaranteed a job elsewhere in the district pending regular contract renewals.
A list of the schools closing is listed below.
- NQ Henderson Elementary School
- Port Houston Elementary School
- Ross Elementary School
- Burrus Elementary School
- Franklin Elementary School
- Alcott Elementary School
- Hobby Elementary School
- Cage Elementary School
- Briscoe Elementary School
- Fleming Middle School
- McReynolds Middle School
- Gulfton Middle College High School
The vote triggered parents; one woman was escorted out of the meeting. You can watch that below.