After years of financial challenges for our District, including declining enrollment and increased costs, we have reached a point where we can no longer sustain all of our schools and must make some difficult decisions going forward. We are currently in a $12 million deficit and have had an enrollment decline of more than 25% since 2015. Low birth rates, declining market share and a lack of residential development are the driving forces behind our decreasing student population, which directly impact our state funding.

• School Consolidation and Refinement of Facilities AND/OR 

• Declare Financial Exigency, which means reduction of staff (layoffs)

We are using the Town Hall Meetings to inform the public of the District’s current situation and what will happen to the District if nothing is done. While the Town Hall Meetings will be used to inform the public of the proposal, anyone wishing to share their thoughts during Public Comments during the March 8, 2023 Board Workshop, which will be held at STEM Early College High School, as well as the Regular School Board meeting on March 20, 2023 at Collier Elementary. Ultimately, the Harlandale School Board will make the final decision on Monday, March 27, 2023. 

Currently, the proposed campuses include Rayburn, Columbia Heights, Morrill and Vestal elementary schools and the Jewel Wietzel Center. An analysis of each of our campuses found that Columbia Heights, Morrill and Vestal elementary schools and the Jewel Wietzel Center are operating at about half of their capacity. Rayburn Elementary is at about 60 percent capacity.

Our top priority is the well-being and education of our students, and we are committed to supporting them during this time of uncertainty. If the proposal is approved, we will work closely with families and staff to ensure that students are able to transfer to another school within our district and receive the resources and support they need to succeed.

The full proposal can be found on our website at harlandale.net under “Latest News.”

Our teacher-to-student ratio would not change. We will follow the guidelines set forth by the Texas Education Agency and will not surpass the recommended amount. Our plan would allow teachers to transfer to their preferred school, which means they will get their own set of students. 

Yes, transportation will be provided for all students that fall under the HISD Transportation guidelines.

Each professional staff member will be provided with a Priority Transfer List. Professional staff must include their 1st, 2nd, and 3rd campus of choice and grade level choice for their priority transfer. All transfers will be based on certification and availability. For the 23-24 school year - ONLY Priority campus personnel (campuses affected) will be able to place their name on the Priority Transfer List. If an employee chooses not to complete a priority transfer document or if their choices are not available, they will be transferred based on student needs and certifications. Pay and days will not be affected unless the new position requires additional days which would then lead to additional pay.

They will be transferred based on student needs. Pay and days will not be affected unless the new position requires additional days which would then lead to additional pay. They will NOT have to interview 

No, a teacher's certification is not suspended when they leave voluntarily or for reasons unrelated to misconduct. 

If the proposal is approved, we will work closely with students, families and staff to ensure that students are able to transfer to another school within our district and receive the resources and support they need to succeed.

The buildings will remain in our district and will be repurposed in a variety of ways. 

• SCHEH Center -> Multipurpose Building

  • Wellness Area 

• Fine Arts dressing rooms and staging area

• Brand new construction- BOND 2022

• Columbia Heights Elementary -> Special Programs

  • Students transferred to Stonewall Flanders and Collier elementary schools

  • Special Ed, STEM/ GT, Bilingual and the SOSA center 

  • Smallest school and smallest capacity 

• Vestal Elementary -> Bond 2022 CTE Building and Harlandale Alternative Center

  • Students transferred to Gillette, Carroll Bell and Bellaire elementary schools 

  • Back building: AVANCE Early Childhood center 

  • Will aim to offer more opportunities to acquire certifications in welding, dental hygienist, HVAC, etc. 

  • Expose HAC students to technical education

• Rayburn Elementary -> Police Department/ Technology Building

  • Students transferred to Adams and Carroll Bell elementary schools

  • Safety, cyber security and one-to-one devices for students have caused these departments to grow exponentially in the past 10 years 

  • Centrally located for District safety

• Morrill Elementary -> Harlandale Care Center and Professional Development Center

  • Students transferred to Adams, Gilbert and Wright elementary schools

  • Highest decline and it cannot house many students

  • This will allow for expansion for social, emotions and mental wellbeing services 

  • As of (2/27/23) we have had a total of 517 referrals to the Center this school year. 

  • We have had to start a waitlist three times thus far this year

• Jewel Wietzel Center -> Makerspace Doseum 

  • Transition students to home high school

  • HOPS students will be sent to FTA 

  • Will offer hands-on experiences within our district

Bond money and general funds cannot be used interchangeably. Bond funds must be used only for their designated purpose as advertised. 

If approved, staff and students will know where they can expect to be before the start of the new school year. We will offer information as it becomes available for our other district facilities. 

The amount we can expect to save by repurposing five of our schools will depend on several factors, including:

1. The cost of utilities such as electricity, gas and water will depend on the size of the building and its usage

2. The cost of maintaining the building, such as repairs and cleaning, will depend on the size and condition of the building.