Angry parents crowd GCISD board meeting over school closure recommendations

Parents upset by the news that two elementary schools are likely to close at the end of the school year crammed into the Grapevine-Colleyville school board meeting Monday night and also filled an overflow room.

There were 70 speakers and most sharply criticized the board’s recommendation to close Bransford Elementary School in Colleyville and Dove Elementary School in Grapevine.

Lindsey Schugat was among the speakers who opposed school closings.

“You’re looking for a fight, and now you’ve found it,” she said.

Maggie Taylor, a parent of a Bransford student said she was speaking with a “heavy heart.” She praised the fine arts program at Bransford, where all students learn to play the piano and teachers worked closely with them.

“My question is, why are you dismantling one of our most effective schools and why are schools with poorer infrastructure remaining open?” she asked.

But others spoke in support the closures, saying they understand the challenges brought on by less funding from the state and rising costs.

Tammy Grotham expressed her gratitude for the hard work of the district’s Education Master Planning Committee.

“Their commitment and sacrifices didn’t go unnoticed by some in this community,” she said.

After the parents spoke trustees got a detailed presentation from district officials in which they learned that closing Bransford and Dove would result in less disruption to students at other campuses.

The district is also exploring other ways of bringing in additional revenue, such as selling property and marketing its programs.

The recommended closures are among plans to address the district’s $10 million shortfall and are estimated to save around $1.1 million.

Community forum on closures set for Dec. 2

Board president Shannon Braun told the Star-Telegram on Friday that the board is not going to vote on the school closure recommendations until Dec. 10. There will be a community forum to discuss the recommendations on Dec. 2, she said.

Parents are organized in their fight to save the schools.

Over the weekend, they gathered for a prayer walk, and on Friday night, parents hosted a movie night at Dove Elementary where dads grilled burgers. Also on Friday, the PTA at Dove passed a resolution opposing the closings.