Spring ISD
Spring ISD’s Board of Trustees approved the closure of two schools Tuesday as part of the district’s broader “optimization plan” following a $13 million deficit.
According to the district, Link Elementary and Dueitt Middle School, both located north of Houston, will be closed for the 2026-27 school year. The decision is part of the “District Optimization Plan,” which was developed in response to a $13 million budget deficit for the 2024-25 school year, declining enrollment and some school buildings operating at approximately 60% capacity, the district said via a release. The closures are expected to save just over $4 million in a single year.
Spring ISD Board President Justine Durant said via a statement that the decision to close the two campuses was not taken lightly.
“Closing Link and Dueitt is truly a heartbreaking decision,” Durant said. “With campuses operating at nearly 60% capacity and reductions in federal funding, we are facing realities that require hard choices. We will not be fiscally responsible if we do not address these challenges now, even when the decisions are difficult.”
Students currently enrolled at Link Elementary will be rezoned to either Lewis or Beneke Elementary. Dueitt Middle School students will be rezoned to Bailey or Bammel Middle School, according to the district. According to the optimization plan, high inflation and “uncertain or stagnant” state and federal funding were contributing factors to the district’s multi-million-dollar budget deficit.
Other objectives of the optimization plan include strengthening academic programs, improving facility efficiency and enhancing the district’s management of resources. Factors such as the age of each campus, its deferred maintenance, enrollment and location were used to determine which locations would be closed, according to the optimization plan.
Board trustee Winford Adams said in a statement the decision was made for the benefit of the district’s more than 32,000 students.
“We know this decision was incredibly difficult,” Adams said. “Every step of this process had been guided by a commitment to protect the academic experience, opportunities and long-term success of every child we serve.”
According to the district, the overall utilization was 64% for elementary schools, 61% for middle schools and 54% for high schools.
Link Elementary is 43 years old, has approximately $6.5 million in deferred maintenance and a utilization of 57%. The campus had also received a failing accountability rating from the Texas Education Agency for three consecutive years from 2023 to 2025, scoring a D, an F, and a D, respectively.
Dueitt Middle School is 45 years old and has received a D accountability rating from the Texas Education Agency for the past three years. The optimization plan did not provide details regarding the campus’ deferred maintenance, nor its facility utilization, and the district did not immediately provide that information upon request.
Last month, The Houston Chronicle, reported that the district was trying to avoid a state takeover after Dekaney High received a failing grade from the state for several years in a row.