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Arlington ISD proposes closing Blanton Elementary; parents urge delay
Summary
Arlington ISD administrators recommended considering closure of Blanton Elementary because of facility needs, falling enrollment and low state accountability ratings; parents urged the board to delay, citing transportation, bilingual and special‑education impacts. Trustees agreed to continue the review and hold a parent meeting Jan. 14.
Arlington — Arlington ISD administrators on Thursday presented trustees with a proposal to consider closing Blanton Elementary and repurposing part of the campus, citing deteriorating facilities, falling enrollment and weak academic performance.
Doctor Collins, who led the district presentation, said a 2025 facility assessment showed that 58% of the Blanton campus “is in significant need of repair” and that the school now enrolls 458 students — about 55% of capacity and down by roughly 270 students since 2016. Collins also cited Texas Education Agency accountability figures showing Blanton “is performing as well or better than only 6% of campuses that look like Blanton” in 2025. “The recommendation from our administrative team is to consider closing Blanton Elementary School as an elementary school and repurposing the 2013 addition,” Collins said.
The proposal drew an emotional response from families at the meeting.…
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