Overview
- Trustees approved the closure 6-0, with José Macias Jr. absent after stating he would have voted no.
- Interim Superintendent Mary Duhart-Toppen recommended Judson Middle over Kitty Hawk based on poorer facility condition and higher immediate repair needs estimated at $54 million versus $33.6 million.
- The decision advances a board-approved plan to shutter one middle school and three elementary schools to help address a $37 million budget shortfall.
- Community speakers urged delay and raised concerns about displacing walkers; district data show about 480 students walk to Judson Middle and about 500 walk to Kitty Hawk.
- Elementary closures will be discussed Saturday, Feb. 21 at 9 a.m., with a vote planned Tuesday, Feb. 24 at 5 p.m., and the campuses now under consideration are Franz, Park Village, Spring Meadows, Rolling Meadows, and Millers Point after Woodlake and Olympia were removed.