Arlington school board to vote on closure of troubled elementary school
On Tuesday evening, the Arlington school board is set hold a special meeting to decide whether to close the troubled Blanton Elementary School. Here’s what to know ahead of that meeting.
Declining enrollment, failing grades from TEA, aging campus
On Jan. 8, Arlington administrators held the first public meeting to discuss the closure of Blanton Elementary, describing to parents how recent evaluations of the school’s infrastructure and enrollment led to the conclusion that it may need to shutter.
During a presentation, officials described an aging school with falling enrollment and dismal grades from the Texas Education Agency, and outlined how the district would move forward if the decision was made to close Blanton.
Roughly 500 students are enrolled at the east Arlington school this year, according to the most recent TEA data, down from 726 in 2016. Blanton has also received F grades from TEA’s assessment system since 2023.
The 69-year-old campus has been falling into disrepair, Arlington officials said at the meeting, even though there have been renovations.
Texas state law dictates that if a school receives failing ratings five years in a row, the state commissioner must close the school or appoint a board of managers to oversee the entire district.
First public meeting held
On Jan. 8, Arlington ISD administration officials recommended to the Board of Trustees that Blanton close after holding the first public meeting to discuss the school’s fate.
At that meeting, district officials gave a presentation on the potential plan for the school and answered questions from board members.
District officials explained that they were working to redraw the school zoning borders, and would present options for which campuses parents could transfer their children to. Superintendent Matt Smith said that the district was weighing how to make sure that bilingual students, and those enrolled in special programs, will have appropriate schools in their area.
Deputy Superintendent Jennifer Collins explained that students can only be relocated to schools that have an A, B, or C rating from TEA.
A second public meeting, specifically for parents to hear from school and district officials about the potential closure, was scheduled for Jan. 14.
Second public meeting held
At the second meeting, Blanton parents heard a presentation from Arlington ISD with new details about relocation plans for students and the future use of the Blanton Elementary campus.
Officials said that Blanton students would be moved to Burgin, Crow, Goodman, and Swift elementary schools.
Additionally, those officials said that Arlington ISD has a policy to provide transportation for students who live more than two miles from their school.
No decisions were made at that meeting.
What comes next
The Arlington school board will meet at 6:30 p.m. Jan. 20 at the Arlington ISD administration building, 690 E. Lamar Blvd., to vote on whether to close the school.
The district must alert TEA of its decision by Jan. 31. If Blanton is closed, according to Collins, it would be an eight-month process.
