Ysleta ISD: Should half-empty schools be consolidated?

After conducting a demographics study, the Ysleta Independent School District board will have to decide if the district should consolidate half-empty schools.
The Templeton Demographics firm found YISD’s shrinking population will stabilize by 2023, leaving it with about 43,578 students.

It was also revealed that 7 out of 22 elementary schools are operating below 50-percent capacity. Many of the buildings are very old and require repairs, or need to be replaced. Researchers suggested consolidating empty schools, but when asked, Superintendent Dr. Xavier De La Torre replied:

“I think it would be premature to arrive at that kind of recommendation or conclusion,” De La Torre said. “I think it’s irresponsible until the board has a chance to consider all options. But it appears in some areas there are some schools that are far below their capacity and that would require some resources to re-modernize or rebuild in some cases. So that certainly has to be apart of the conversation.”

The board meets at district headquarters Wednesday at 6.