The Fort Worth ISD Board of Managers voted to close the International Newcomer Academy after hours of public opposition during a lengthy meeting Tuesday night.
A total of 137 people signed up to speak, delaying board action for hours as nearly all speakers opposed the district’s plan to move bilingual and special education programs into neighborhood schools.
District officials say students who are not proficient in English perform better on traditional campuses and would have access to more resources. The Newcomer Academy’s middle school received a D rating on the STAAR exam last year after failing the previous two years.
Parents, teachers and even the district’s executive director of the emergent bilingual program argued the move will leave vulnerable students behind without specialized support.
Tensions flared during the meeting, with cheering and jeering from the crowd. At one point, former school board candidate Amanda Inay was threatened with removal after directing remarks at a staff member and refusing to yield.
Despite the opposition, the board approved the plan and voted to close the school.
