Chief Operations Officer Jeremy Trimble presented the LRPC's potential optimization actions—including combining some elementary schools and repurposing the vacant campuses for other district needs by 2026-27—during the May 29 board meeting.
This was a discussion item only, and no decisions have been made on what, if any, optimization actions will be taken.
Breaking it down
Per agenda documents, some of the district challenges the committee considered include:
- Shifting enrollment patterns: Some areas of the district are seeing consistent growth, while other areas have steady enrollment declines.
- Uneven facility utilization: Not all campuses are operating at an efficient capacity of 60%.
- Per-pupil spending variances: The cost to educate each student increases at schools serving fewer students.
- Program access: Enrollment and utilization disparities could lead to limited access to programs and support services, especially at low-enrolled campuses.
Path 1
Path 1 could net $4.1 million in savings by consolidating Faubion Elementary to Westside Elementary, Cypress Elementary to Naumann Elementary, and Steiner Ranch Elementary between Laura W. Bush Elementary and River Ridge Elementary.
Based on 2025-26 projected enrollment data and current staffing, the combined campuses could see:
- Faubion to Westside: streamlining 21.5 staff and an enrollment of 735 students
- Cypress to Naumann: streamlining 18 staff and an enrollment of 868 students
- Steiner Ranch to Laura W. Bush and River Ridge: streamlining 23 staff, and an enrollment of 598 students at Laura W. Bush and 578 students at River Ridge

Path 2 would implement updated staffing guidelines for low-enrolled elementary campuses, netting $1.7 million in savings.
LISD’s current elementary staffing guidelines—or the number of staff needed to effectively serve each campus—are broken down by campuses that have up to 449 students, between 450-999 students, and 1,000 or more students.
The updated model would change the model for campuses between 350 and 500 students and reduce the number of assistant principal, counselor, instructional coach, registrar, receptionist, art and performing art, librarian, gifted and talented, reading specialist, dyslexia and English as a Second Language and special education coordinator staff to one, or reduce roles to part-time.
The model could also allow for these staff to be shared between campuses instead.
"While I absolutely understand why a lot of our community is gravitating toward [this path], ... how do we do this and not completely overwhelm our staff?" trustee Francesca Romans said.
Path 3 would implement actions from both Path 1 and Path 2, netting $3.5 million in savings.
For the 2026-27 school year, this could look like:
- Consolidating Steiner Ranch to Laura W. Bush and River Ridge, and Faubion to Westside
- Repurposing Steiner Ranch and Faubion
- Updating staffing guidelines at Naumann and Cypress
What they’re saying
Hundreds of community members have spoken against LISD closing or merging schools at board meetings over the last several months.
Cypress Elementary parent Nancy Stroder noted concerns with a potential enrollment of over 800 students on the combined campus, and said the neighborhood's walkability is "essential."
"Cypress is more than just a school; it's a cornerstone of our community," Stroder said during the May 29 meeting.
Trustee Paul Gauthier also requested Trimble and his team provide information on how closing the campuses would affect home values in the impacted neighborhoods.
Next steps
The board is slated to receive further LRPC updates in June, August, September, January and February.
Community engagement initiatives are also slated for August and September, and potential May 2026 bond development could take place this fall.
Other future steps could include:
- June: open enrollment policy for 2026-27 drafted
- August: Citizens’ Facility Advisory Committee members approved
- September: board votes on optimization actions
- October-November: attendance zoning conducted for potential 2026-27 changes
- January: CFAC makes recommendations to the board
- February: board calls for a bond election