Fort Bend ISD said closing 7 schools could impact less than 1 percent of budget

SUGAR LAND, Texas (KTRK) -- After months of discussion, surveys, and meetings, some Fort Bend ISD parents can't believe it's all over less than one percent of the district's budget.

The reality of what could be weeks away is starting to set in for some Fort Bend ISD parents, including Trey Boswell.

"I've been that kid that's had to move through five elementary schools," Boswell said. "It's not fun making new friends."

Boswell has three kids attending Madden Elementary. A school that could soon see big change.

The district is looking at its elementary school changes due to declining enrollment and a $56 million budget deficit. Seven schools face closures.

Madden isn't one of them, but students could be rezoned.

"It just doesn't make any sense," Boswell said. "I understand there needs to be closures, but I feel like some of the parents feel like they haven't been 100 percent transparent with the numbers."

On Monday, parents got some answers. District financial leaders told trustees closing seven schools could save $5 to $7 million a year, which comes to .07 percent of the district's budget.

Not enough of a savings, officials said, will eliminate the deficit.

"There will likely be a two-part phase to this process so we don't shock the system with the ultimate goal of two years," Fort Bend ISD chief financial officer Bryan Guinn explained.

District leaders say they're working on plans to cut the deficit by this summer. Officials said they want to keep cuts from the classroom.

They're looking to save money with closures, not filling open positions, and district-level adjustments.

When ABC13 asked if teacher layoffs are also being considered, the district said that it will not be laying off teachers to address the budget deficit.

In the case that the Fort Bend ISD board elects to close the seven schools, teachers and employees from those schools will be retained and reassigned based on district needs in accordance with board-approved polices, district officials explained.

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