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…