HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) – After a lengthy and tense meeting, the Houston Independent School District is moving forward with a plan to close 12 of its campuses, citing declining enrollment and increasing maintenance costs.
At a meeting on Thursday, the HISD Board of Directors decided to close the campus in a unanimous vote of 9-0.
SEE ALSO: HISD parents brace for school closures, while some experts said more may be necessary
According to HISD, the district will implement a comprehensive transition plan to assist affected students, families and staff. This includes direct outreach to affected families to discuss student placement, staff reassignment, transportation and continued community engagement for a smooth transition to the 2026-2027 school year, HISD said.
Dozens of parents and community members attended to speak out against the closures, with many saying the decision was abrupt and lacked sufficient community input.
After the first public comment period, several district officials presented findings, including enrollment data and facility conditions, that they said justified the closures.
Then came the second public comment period, where more parents and community members spoke.
During that period, one person was escorted out of the building after standing on the podium after his allotted speaking time had expired. The board declared a holiday but soon returned.
Throughout the meeting, HISD Superintendent Mike Miles addressed the audience, strongly asking them to maintain decorum.
District officials said they held more than 20 meetings with parents of affected schools before the appointed board’s decision.
Officials added that contractual staff in the affected schools will not be laid off and a job will be guaranteed at a different location in the district pending renewal of regular contracts.
Miles previously released a statement when the district first revealed its plan to close the 12 schools:
“I understand this is difficult news. Schools are more than just buildings. They are places full of history, relationships, and pride. This decision was not made lightly, and our focus remains on ensuring every student has access to a learning environment that is strong, supportive, and rich in opportunity.”
Here is a list of schools that HISD has said it will close:
- NQ Henderson Primary School
- Port Houston Elementary School
- Franklin Elementary School
- Briscoe Elementary School
To learn more about the closures, visit HISD web page.
Copyright © 2026 KTRK-TV. All rights reserved.