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Pasadena ISD trustees vote to close McMasters Elementary amid public objections
Summary
The Pasadena ISD Board approved a motion authorizing the superintendent to close McMasters Elementary and implement attendance-zone and program changes; the vote recorded six ayes and one abstention. Dozens of public commenters had raised concerns during the meeting.
The Pasadena Independent School District Board of Trustees voted May 26 to approve closure, consolidation, attendance-zoning changes and related actions for McMasters Elementary, authorizing the superintendent or her designee to take all necessary steps to implement the decision.
The motion was made by Marshall Kendrick and seconded by Nelda Sullivan. The minutes record AYES from Kenny Fernandez, Casey Phelan, Marshall Kendrick, Nelda Sullivan, Joe Campos and Crystal Davila, with Paola Gonzalez recorded as abstaining; no NO votes were recorded. The board reconvened in open session at 7:06 p.m. after a prior closed-session period listed on the agenda.
Public commenters raised concerns about the proposed school closure during the allotted public-comment period. According to the meeting record, speakers including Andrew Winterle, April Lance and others spoke about their concerns related to the planned closing. The minutes do not record verbatim comments during the public-comment period beyond a list of speakers and a brief note that some commenters addressed sign-up procedures, start times and spending.
The motion recorded in the official minutes does not include a timetable or a detailed implementation plan; the board’s approval authorized the superintendent to take necessary actions to effectuate the closure. The minutes do not identify specific campuses to receive displaced students or provide a timeline for transitions, and they do not specify any required follow-up reports to the board in the public portion of the record.
