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Judson ISD is looking to close Judson Middle School based on a recommendation from district administration.
The JISD board of trustees discussed the impact of closing one of the two middle schools—Judson or Kitty Hawk—during a special meeting on Feb. 14.
A vote to approve the closure of one middle school campus is scheduled to take place on Feb. 16.
The background
JISD has plans to close four schools in the 2026-27 school year to combat a $37 million budget shortfall. In a 6-1 vote during a special meeting Feb. 9, the JISD board of trustees approved closing one middle school and three elementary schools.
What happened
Trustees considered the year each school was built, building additions, number of demolitions, renovations and utilization. Kitty Hawk Middle School, which was constructed in 1976, has had eight additional buildings constructed, according to the special board meeting presentation.
"There has been extensive demolitions and renovations to that campus to keep up with the growth of that area," Interim Superintendent Mary Duhart-Toppen said.
The utilization of the Kitty Hawk Middle School building is 49%, including the addition of JSTEM to that particular school. The total cost to continue using the building is $45.2 million, Duhart-Toppen said.
Judson Middle School, a former high school campus, was built in 1986. Additional buildings were added in the 1980s, and the cost to continue using the building as a school in the district would be $70.5 million. The utilization of Judson Middle is 35%, according to the presentation.
"Removing JSTEM and putting it at Kitty Hawk to replace close to 700 kids that were moved to Cibolo Creek when that school opened did drop the utilization of Judson Middle School at that particular time," Duhart-Toppen said.
What they're saying
Trustee Suzanne Kenoyer said the political landscape has had an impact on public education, and closing Kitty Hawk Middle School may put more of a strain on families whose students would have to travel further for education.
“I am leaning toward Judson Middle School as the school to be closed," Kenoyer said.
Trustee Laura Stanford said she was now leaning away from closing four schools.
“I’m not sure we have a good handle on what we’re doing, not because we're not trying to, but because there's so much to take into account. I don't know if we're able to weigh on the factors carefully," Stanford said.
Board President Monica Ryan and Vice President Amanda Poteet said they were leaning toward the administration’s recommendation.
“I have confidence that our administration is going to get students and staff through this,” Ryan said.
Public input
Universal City Council Member Lori Putt, who spoke during public comment, said several city residents had reached out to her with concerns about the district.
“They feel like their input has not reflected the direction being taken and that recommendations presented publicly have not consistently matched the actions being considered,” Putt said.
Another community member, Lisa Pfeiffer, asked if the district could "get it together."
"Here we are again. Feb. 14, Valentine's Day, but I don't think there's a whole lot of love in this room, or in this district," Pfeiffer said.
Another community member, Laurie Lerma, said closing Judson Middle would significantly increase transportation demands and costs for the district.
"Students from neighborhoods like Miramar, Copperfield, would require entirely new bus routes, as none currently exist, leading to longer ride times," Lerma said. "We know transportation is not just a budget line item. It directly impacts attendance, student safety, family schedules and academic success."
Dates to know
