Some Richardson ISD parents are not pleased with the district's budget-cutting plan that would close four elementary schools next school year. Monday night marked the first of several meetings with Superintendent Tabitha Branum that parents could attend.
The district announced last week that four elementary schools would be closed due to declining enrollment and budget struggles. Branum told parents Monday that the district faced a $28 million budget deficit and that it could save $11 million by closing the campuses.
Greenwood Hills, Springridge, Spring Valley, and Thurgood Marshall elementary schools will be consolidated with neighboring schools next year. Dobie Pre-Kindergarten School will close for good the following year.
Parents Monday night were disappointed and said moving their children would separate friends and break long-standing relationships with teachers. Branum said the board of trustees is open to other ideas, asking themselves "...can there be an adjustment made? Or do we need to rethink something?"
There will be several more listening sessions for parents before the school board makes a final decision on March 21.
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