Canutillo ISD considers closing Bill Childress Elementary, among other options

The Canutillo Independent School District is estimating its student population will remain constant at 6,000 for the next five years.

But after commissioning the Jacobs Engineering Group and Dejong Richter to study both its population and facilities this summer, CISD is learning its six elementary schools and two middle schools are running half-empty, while Canutillo High is over capacity.

“I would like to see us not get to the point where the El Paso school district has gotten to, where they’re having to close down schools,” said parent Cynthia Lopez.

Currently the CISD board is considering five options:

Option A: Create a 9th grade center at Jose Alderete Middle, make Canutillo Middle School & Reyes K-8 schools

Close Childress Elementary School

Option B: Create 9th grade center atJose Alderete Middle, change K-6, 7-8 configuration, make Canutillo Middle School the 7-8th junior high

Close Childress Elementary School

Option C: Convert both MS to 7-9th grades

Re-purpose Childress Elementary School for Central Office

Option D: Convert Canutillo Middle School to K-8

Re-purpose Childress Elementary School for Central Office

Option E: Convert Canutillo Middle School to K-8 andJose H. Damian Elementary to high school skilled tech center

Re-purpose Childress Elementary School for Central Office

Although the district has committed $70 million to keep its campuses in good condition, it wants parents to tell them what their next steps should be, especially since new housing developments bring the promise of more students.

The full Facilities Master Plan can be found here. The next Community Dialogue meeting is Mar. 3.