Three BISD Schools to Close

At a Special Called Board Meeting of the Brownsville Independent School District the Trustees voted to close Longoria Elementary, Resaca Elementary, and Victoria Heights Elementary schools. The decisions came as a result of a 9-month process of meetings, site visits, document review, and extensive discussions. These discussions were primarily based on:

 • the quality of the facilities
• enrollment data and 5-year projections
• location
• future viability of the buildings
• cost of renovations versus new construction for affected campuses, and
• the timeline and effort required to move the selected campuses and to set up the receiving campuses.

Dr. Sylvia R. Hatton, Interim Superintendent, assured everyone that “a comprehensive transition plan is in place to address the well being of our students so that they will be received at a welcoming and prepared campus, and staff employment will be safeguarded at the same time.” The transition plan includes transportation for all students, even those within the 2 mile zone. It takes into account the moving of school furniture, instructional materials, and school records. Key to the plan is the collaboration between school personnel highlighted by “Open House” events at the receiving schools to make the move as comfortable as possible for the students, parents, and staff members.