SAISD voted unanimously to close Carvajal Elementary, a 76-year old West Side school serving families in one of San Antonio’s poorest zip codes. While the closure disrupts hundreds of families, COPS/Metro leveraged SAISD’s commitment of $28.6 million in bond funds to build a new, modern K–8 school on the West Side.

After 15 schools closed at the end of the 2023-2024 school year, Carvajal Elementary is being considered next on the chopping block. COPS/Metro leaders participated in a heated public meeting on the potential closure, while parents voiced concerns about losing their community and native tongue fostered through the school’s dual language program.

[Excerpt]

"Harlandale trustees have voted to close Columbia Heights, Rayburn, Morrill and Carroll Bell elementary schools at the end of the school year....

Juan Cristan came with a large group of COPS/Metro community organizers who felt the announcement of the proposal to close schools came too close to spring break, making it more difficult for families to learn about the proposal and participate in town halls. He was also one of several speakers that asked the district to come up with a plan to better compete with charter schools.

“What are we going to do to stop the hemorrhaging?” Cristan asked. “What are we going to do to [stop having] the students go to KIPP, to IDEA, to Royal?”

[Photo Credit: Camille Phillips, Texas Public Radio]

Harlandale ISD Trustees Vote to Close Four Elementary Schools, Texas Public Radio [pdf]
Budget Crunch Pushes Harlandale ISD Board to Order School Closures, San Antonio Express News [pdf]
South San Antonio ISD Moves to Close Three Schools in Bid to Avert Financial Crisis, San Antonio Report [pdf]