Mercedes ISD trustees approve consolidation of campuses amid sustained enrollment decline

The Mercedes Independent School District Board of Trustees voted to approve a reorganization and consolidation of district campuses for the 2025–26 school year, citing a multi-year enrollment decline and sustained budget pressures.

District Director of Student Services Jean Jeannie Venezia said the district has seen enrollment fall from 4,941 in the 2019–20 school year to about 4,208 at the most recent snapshot. “Currently, we have 10 campuses. We have 3 high schools, 2 middle schools, 4 elementary, and of course, our Mercedes Early Literacy,” Venezia told trustees during the presentation.

The approved plan converts Sergeant William G. Harrell Middle School back to an elementary campus, consolidates sixth through eighth grades at Sergeant Manuel Chacon Middle School, and rezones attendance areas for John F. Kennedy and Taylor elementary schools so the district operates three elementary campuses instead of four. District staff said the consolidation will reduce the district’s campus count from 10 to 8.

Why it matters: district leaders said the changes respond to a long-term drop in…