Conroe ISD closes 3 schools due to budget deficit

**Conroe ISD Trustees Vote to Close Three Elementary Schools Amid Budget Crisis**

**CONROE, Texas** – In a highly contentious decision, the Conroe Independent School District Board of Trustees voted 4-3 on Tuesday night, April 16, 2024, to officially close Creighton, Hailey, and Anderson Elementary Schools at the end of the current 2023-24 school year. The move comes as the district grapples with a projected $28 million budget deficit for the upcoming 2024-25 school year.

The board’s narrow vote followed months of deliberation and extensive public input, with parents, community members, and educators weighing in on the emotional and financial implications of the proposed closures. Trustees Datren Williams, Misty O’Donoghue, Theresa Wagaman, and Skeeter Hubert cast the votes in favor of the closures, citing fiscal necessity. Dissenting votes came from Trustees Stacey Chase, Ashley Fehrle, and Tiffany Nelson, who expressed concerns about the impact on students and communities.

District officials estimate the closure of the three campuses will save approximately $3.7 million annually. This measure is a significant step in addressing the substantial budget shortfall, which Conroe ISD attributes largely to rising operational costs, increasing student needs, and the Texas state legislature’s failure to increase the basic allotment for public school funding since 2019. The basic allotment is the per-student amount the state provides to school districts, a figure many districts statewide argue has not kept pace with inflation and growing expenses.

Beyond the district-wide budget crunch, declining enrollment at the specific schools also played a major role in the decision. Creighton Elementary, a historic campus built in 1950, currently serves 418 students. Hailey Elementary, established in 1985, has 512 students, while Anderson Elementary, built in 1982, enrolls 429 students. These numbers are considerably below the operational capacity of the schools, making them targets for consolidation.

The discussion surrounding the closures has been a lightning rod for community sentiment. Public hearings and board meetings in recent months saw impassioned pleas from residents. Supporters of the closures emphasized the district’s fiduciary responsibility to address the budget crisis and ensure the financial stability of the entire district, arguing that tough choices were unavoidable. Opponents highlighted the disruption to students’ education, the loss of community anchors, and the potential impact on neighborhood identity and property values. Many parents voiced concerns about longer bus routes, overcrowding at receiving schools, and the social-emotional toll on children forced to transition.

Conroe ISD Superintendent Dr. Curtis Null acknowledged the difficulty of the decision in a statement following the vote. “This was an incredibly tough evening for our board, our staff, and our community,” Dr. Null said. “No one ever wants to close a school, but we are faced with significant financial realities that demand difficult action to protect the educational opportunities for all 70,000 students in Conroe ISD. Our focus now shifts to supporting our students, families, and staff through this transition.”

Students currently enrolled at Creighton, Hailey, and Anderson Elementary Schools will be rezoned to other campuses within the district for the 2024-25 academic year. Conroe ISD has pledged to communicate detailed rezoning plans and provide support resources to affected families in the coming weeks. The district also indicated that all staff members from the closed schools will be reallocated to other positions within CISD, minimizing job losses.

The district has confirmed its intention to retain ownership of the properties where Creighton, Hailey, and Anderson Elementary schools are located. Officials stated the campuses would be held for future district needs, rather than being sold off, preserving options for potential growth or alternative educational programs in the long term.

As the district moves forward with implementing these closures, the focus will be on managing the transition smoothly and continuing to advocate for increased state funding for public education in Texas. More information regarding rezoning, transition plans, and support services for affected families will be made available on the Conroe ISD website at [ConroeISD.net](https://www.conroeisd.net) and through direct communication with school communities.