Lubbock ISD Board Considers School Consolidation Plans

The Lubbock ISD Board of Trustees is considering recommendations for school consolidations to address a $14 million budget deficit and declining enrollment. The Future Focus Committee has proposed moving Overton Elementary students to Rush Elementary, OL Slaton Middle students to Atkins and Dunbar, and consolidating Bean and Hodges Elementary into the OL Slaton building. The recommendations were presented amid concerns over transparency and the speed of the decision-making process, with criticism from parents about the lack of engagement with affected communities. Furthermore, issues were raised regarding the initial unavailability of information in Spanish, which was later addressed by the district. The Board has not yet made a final decision, with a special meeting potentially scheduled for December 4 to address these recommendations.