HISD hearing draws large public outcry as officials and parents urge pause on plan to close 12 schools

Houston — Dozens of parents, students, teachers and visiting elected officials pressed the Houston Independent School District board of managers on Feb. 26 to delay or stop a plan to close 12 campuses, saying the proposal was rushed, lacked adequate community input and would harm students who rely on neighborhood schools.

Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia told the board she had heard from families who were "completely blindsided" by the proposal and asked the managers to "please pause" so parents, teachers and students can have more say on how closures are planned and implemented. "Safety cannot be an afterthought," Garcia said, citing long walking routes, missing sidewalks and crossings families would face.

The meeting featured 78 registered speakers under the board’s public‑comment rules. Congressman Christian Menifee likewise urged delay, saying decisions that close schools "require so much more" than two weeks of notice and recommended more months of authentic engagement. State Sen. Carol Alvarado and state representatives also urged a pause and criticized the timing and short notice to families.

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