Grapevine-Colleyville ISD trustees on Sept. 29 received an update on the district’s Education Master Planning Committee and a multi-year fiscal outlook that prompted renewed debate over possible elementary school consolidations. The presentation, led by district staff and the chief financial officer, laid out enrollment declines, projected revenue impacts and scenarios the committee is studying to reduce operating costs.

District officials said the primary financial pressure is a drop in traditional on-campus enrollment and state funding changes. David Johnson, the district’s chief financial officer, told trustees that the district’s fall enrollment was 209 students below the demographer’s projection and that the combined preliminary fiscal impact of that shortfall was “somewhere between $1.2 and $1.5 million.” He also warned the board that some revenue sources such as short‑term investment income are expected to decline in coming years.

The Education Master Planning Committee (EMPC) has been studying building capacities, program locations, and multiple attendance-zone scenarios. Paula (staff member), who introduced the financial update, and other presenters explained the committee’s use of “functional capacity” — the number of students a building can sensibly serve, not historical maximum occupancy — and showed maps and scenario worksheets. One example (Scenario 3) would consolidate Bear Creek Elementary students into neighboring campuses; presenters noted that Bear Creek students generally live within two miles of the campus and that consolidation could add bus routes and operating costs for transportation.

Nut graf: The committee framed consolidation as a tool to redirect maintenance-and-operations funds toward classroom needs and teacher compensation as enrollment and state funding pressures continue. Committee members stressed that any recommendations would weigh facilities age, program placement, projected enrollment, and the operational impacts of moving students and staff.

Trustees and staff emphasized steps the district has already taken to address finances — including voter-approved tax ratification, bond work focused on facility maintenance, energy-management savings and 0-based budgeting — but said those actions have not closed the gap. Johnson said the district has reduced 146 positions since 2021 and that payroll accounts for roughly 86–87% of operating expenditures.

Public comment: The board allowed 26 public speakers. Parents and staff repeatedly urged postponing any campus closures, requesting broader community and staff representation on committee work, and proposing alternatives such as attendance-zone adjustments, program changes, and corporate or municipal partnerships. Renee Hart, a parent of two Dove Elementary students, said, “I am asking that you please pause the campus consolidation process before moving forward.” Several speakers pressed for a new, representative community committee and for a formal independent study of factors driving families from the district; Matthew White (district resident) argued, “Enrollment is not the problem. The problem is everything driving families out of GCISD,” and asked the board to commission an independent study.

Concerns and planning detail: Presenters showed that two elementary campuses were under 60% utilization and four more were under 75% as of this school year. Staff explained the difference between current enrollment (including transfers) and “home‑zone” enrollment if all zoned families attended their assigned campus; the two data sets yield different operational pictures for many campuses and help explain why some sites are being evaluated now. Staff warned that some consolidation scenarios could temporarily increase individual campuses above functional capacity, require additional buses, or create short-term needs for portables if future enrollment rebounds.

Process and next steps: Communications staff said the district will continue to publish EMPC materials and FAQs and will hold in-person sessions for families of campuses that would be directly affected once recommendations narrow. District leaders said they plan transition teams — including parents and staff from both sending and receiving campuses — to plan culture and logistics if a consolidation recommendation is approved. No consolidation recommendation or formal vote was taken at the Sept. 29 meeting; the EMPC will continue work and bring options to the board for later action.

Ending: Trustees said the decision will be difficult and urged the community to focus on student outcomes and long‑term stability as the committee completes analyses. The board recessed the meeting for additional agenda items after the informational update.