The three schools facing potential closures are Judson Middle School, Candlewood Elementary School and Franz Leadership Academy.
What happened
The board voted 4-3 to direct district administration to study information and bring the board additional information for the closing of the aforementioned schools.
The board also unanimously approved to restructure the library, gifted and talented, and academic enrichment program, which will save the district $750,000. The restructuring allows librarians to be kept at all campuses but absorb academic enrichment responsibilities and reduce gifted and talented teachers through attrition, according to the presentation.
In a 6-1 vote, a student-teacher ratio increase of two students per classroom was also approved by the board. This will increase elementary, middle and high school ratios to 23-to-1, 25-to-1 and 26-to-1, respectively.
The board also voted 6-1 to approve a District of Innovation teacher salary reduction of $1,000 across the board—impacting 177 Judson teachers under the category.
Some background
Judson ISD's original FY 2024-25 budget shortfall of $36 million was offset by the use of disaster pennies—bringing the shortfall closer to $24 million, according to previous reporting by Community Impact.
District officials have had discussions of calling a voter approved tax rate election, or VATRE, since January to keep the district at the FY 2024-25 rate of $1.0346 per $100 valuation.
Without utilizing cost reduction measures or implementing an approved VATRE, as of April 28, the district projects a $45.99 million shortfall for FY 2025-26. With a VATRE approved by voters, the district is projected to have a $33.51 million shortfall, according to board documents.
What trustees are saying
Trustee Suzanne Kenoyer said she does not like closing schools, and thought a process needed to be followed.
Trustee José Macias said the district has an opportunity to put a VATRE on the ballot in November—which means the Judson Middle School community and other stakeholders will know the district needs additional revenue.
“We have about possibly $12 million more we’ll be adding to our budget if that VATRE passes,” Macias said. “We did not mismanage funds; we are just not being paid what we should be to provide quality education in this community,” he added.
Newly elected trustee Amanda Poteet said she knew that there was a possibility they were going to have to close schools before being elected on the board. She also said she did not feel comfortable relying on potential revenue generated from a VATRE because she doesn’t know if they have the community support outside of the Judson community to get it passed.
“We have to cut the budget. I’m not sure where else we can cut,” Poteet said. “We’re running out of time because we’re running out of money.”
Trustee Laura Stanford said she would prefer to put off closing schools until next year.
What the community is saying
June Adair, a Live Oak resident, said she was very disappointed to hear the board was considering closing schools without community input.
“I respectfully request that you allow the taxpaying citizens of this district to give insight into how these decisions will affect their children and their families,” Adair said.
Gilbert Flores, a former Judson ISD trustee, said he was upset about the way the board is doing business.
“You are an embarrassment to the teachers, to the administration and to all the employees. In addition, an embarrassment to the kids,” Flores said.
Lisa Harloff, a Judson Middle School teacher, said it would be sad to see Judson Middle School closed and questioned what would happen to the teachers and students.
Stay tuned
The board is anticipated to continue school closure discussions at a special meeting May 21 at 5:30 p.m. at 8205 Palisades Drive in Live Oak.
Reporter Thomas Leffler contributed to this report.
