San Antonio, Texas: NEISD Staff Recommend Closing Dellview, Montgomery and Oak Grove Elementary Schools

North East Independent School District administrators will recommend closing three elementary schools in San Antonio, the district told community members late on the morning of Thursday, Nov. 5. The schools are Dellview, Montgomery and Oak Grove elementaries. Students and staff would move to nearby campuses, and trustees are set to take formal action at a special meeting on Nov. 16.

Where students would go

Under the plan outlined to the school board on Oct. 19, Dellview students and teachers would move to Colonial Hills Elementary. Oak Grove's population would go to Regency Place Elementary, and Montgomery's population would shift to Windcrest Elementary.

No campus closes unless the board approves the recommendation. Trustees first receive an update at their regular meeting on Nov. 9, including a report on the in-person and virtual community meetings the district held over a two-week period in October. Formal action on the closure recommendations is slated for Nov. 16.

Why the district says closures are on the table

The recommendations come from a district efficiency committee report that outlined 16 elementary campuses that could be reviewed for closure or consolidation, as the district works to reduce its budget deficit and improve its finances. At the Oct. 19 meeting, administrators said the review focused on campuses with fewer than 450 students, where less than 60 percent of the building space is used, and where the cost of serving students is more than 5 percent above the districtwide average. Susie Lackorn, the district's budget and financial analysis director, told the board that consolidating the three campuses could save more than $4 million.

Superintendent Anthony Jarrett told families at the affected schools this week that district administrators will work with principals to communicate with parents and students. In October he said enrollment drops, state funding and flat local revenue are forcing the district to make choices it does not want to make. NEISD last closed and consolidated campuses in 2024.

Families have already pushed back

Parents, students and teachers from the three schools addressed the board on Oct. 19 and asked district leaders to reconsider and find another way. Some speakers noted that the campuses are Title 1 schools serving low-income families in their neighborhoods.

In its Nov. 5 emailed statement to community members, the district said it understands the possible closures have raised questions and concern. The statement read: "Please know that we are grateful for your continued engagement, support and partnership as we work together to make thoughtful decisions in the best interest of our students and district."

For families at Dellview, Montgomery and Oak Grove, the next dates are firm. The board hears the update on Nov. 9, and the vote that decides whether their schools close is set for Nov. 16.