Aldine ISD board approves consolidation plan, closing five elementary campuses for 2025–26

The Aldine Independent School District Board of Trustees on Feb. 25 approved a district consolidation plan that closes five elementary campuses for the 2025–26 school year, rezones affected students and authorizes related implementation steps.

The board voted to close Desia Santiago Primary, Eckert Elementary, Olson Elementary, Raymond Elementary and Smith Elementary and to rezone students to receiving campuses for the 2025–26 school year. Trustees also approved several personnel actions discussed in executive session, a resolution to proceed with an easement conveyance to the city of Houston for a sidewalk at South Victory and Carver, and accepted revisions to multiple board policies for first reading.

Board president Dr. Booker called the motions in sequence after administration presented the consolidation recommendations and said the board had discussed the proposals in a study session the night before. Superintendent Dr. Latonya Goffney and district staff told the board the optimization work is driven by persistent budget deficits and by an effort to place students in facilities the administration says are better equipped.

Not all trustees supported every closure. Dr. Viola Garcia said she would “refrain from supporting the recommendation to close schools with enrollment over 400 students,” and urged continued efforts to increase enrollment and attendance before relying primarily on optimization. Trustee Bates and others framed the vote as a fiduciary decision. Bates told the board it had a “financial oversight responsibility” and described the choice as difficult but necessary to steward district resources.

The closures are effective for the 2025–26 school year and include planned rezoning of students to receiving schools; the motions and vote tallies were recorded by the board during the meeting. The board also approved motions arising from executive session that would terminate or propose termination of employee contracts as presented by administration (see “Votes at a glance”).

The board held a public hearing earlier in the meeting to notify the public about 2024–25 targeted improvement plans required by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) for identified campuses. The administration listed the campuses required to submit targeted improvement plans and invited public comment; the board recessed the public hearing after soliciting questions and comments. One written public comment, read by the board secretary, urged trustees to vote no on closing Raymond Elementary.

Other actions approved: a resolution to proceed with an easement agreement with the city of Houston for a sidewalk at the corner of South Victory and Carver; acceptance of revisions to board policy DEE (compensation and benefits, expense reimbursement) and other local policy updates for first reading; and the promotion of Timothy Momanyi from assistant superintendent of finance to chief financial officer, a personnel announcement made during the meeting.

The board discussed next steps for implementation and the district said staff will conduct the rezoning and communications required to move students and staff to receiving campuses. Trustees emphasized the district’s intent to support teachers and students during transition; the superintendent and several trustees pledged continued engagement with affected families and staff.

Votes at a glance

- Close Desia Santiago Primary and rezone students for 2025–26 — Motion approved (motion carried; vote recorded in meeting minutes). - Close Eckert Elementary and rezone students for 2025–26 — Motion approved (motion carried). - Close Olson Elementary and rezone students for 2025–26 — Motion approved (motion carried). - Close Raymond Elementary and rezone students for 2025–26 — Motion approved (motion carried). - Close Smith Elementary and rezone students for 2025–26 — Motion approved (motion carried). - Approve final termination of probationary contract for Valerie Clayton (Ermel Elementary) — Motion approved (final termination authorized). - Approve proposed termination of probationary contract for Nasha Bridal (Nimitz High School) — Motion approved (proposed termination authorized). - Approve proposed termination of probationary contract for Kenra Johnson (Spence Elementary) — Motion approved (proposed termination authorized). - Approve proposed termination of term contract for Martha Murillo (McGrail Primary School) — Motion approved (proposed termination authorized). - Approve resolution to proceed with easement conveyance with City of Houston for sidewalk at South Victory and Carver — Motion approved (motion carried). - Accept revisions to local board policy DEE (compensation and benefits) for first reading, plus other local policy updates (CAA, CDA, CY, DH, EHB, EHBB, FFG, GKA) — Motion approved for first reading (second reading scheduled in March).

What mattered

Trustees framed the closures as a response to a multi-year budget deficit and a way to move students into facilities the administration characterized as better equipped. Trustees who opposed some closures emphasized preserving campuses with higher enrollment and urged continued efforts to increase attendance and enrollment before making closures permanent. The board repeatedly referenced transparency and prior community meetings; multiple trustees said they had attended community meetings and would remain engaged as the district implements the plan.

What’s next

The district will begin rezoning and other implementation tasks for the 2025–26 school year and will communicate transition plans to families, staff and receiving campuses. Policy revisions approved for first reading will return to the board for a second reading and final vote in March. Personnel actions authorized by the board will proceed per district process and the motions approved in executive session.

Ending note

Board members thanked staff and community members for participation; the meeting included numerous recognitions and awards earlier in the agenda. The district reiterated it will continue outreach to affected families as the consolidation plan moves into implementation.