Trustees approve consolidation plan

The Dallas ISD Board of Trustees has approved a plan to consolidate eleven schools, including 9 elementary schools and 2 middle schools, with other campuses beginning next school year as a cost-saving measure.

The overall cost savings are estimated at approximately $11.5 million.

Dallas ISD is projecting a preliminary budget deficit of $25 million as a result of unprecedented cuts to public education by the Texas Legislature during the 2011 session.

The schools to be consolidated with other campuses include: City Park Elementary School; Julia C. Frazier Elementary School; Phillis Wheatley Elementary School; N.W. Harllee Elementary School; Arlington Park Elementary School; James W. Fannin Elementary School; James B. Bonham Elementary School; Oran M. Roberts Elementary School; D.A. Hulcy Middle School; H.S. Thompson Elementary School; and, during the 2013-14 school year, Pearl C. Anderson Middle School.

In accordance with district policy, the schools that will be consolidated with others are predominantly campuses that are significantly underutilized, have low enrollment or are in close proximity to other campuses with available student capacity.

This past spring, a citizens budget review commission appointed by the board recommended that the district examine the possibility of consolidating campuses with others to save money.

A majority of the schools that will be consolidated with others have less than 300 students. Seven of the eleven campuses recommended for consolidation with others are currently operating at less than 60% capacity.