Even though parents from the schools were anticipating this news, it was still emotional to read. However, they say they don't believe the letters indicate this is a done deal, and for them, the fight is not over.

Colleyville

A committee within the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District (GCISD) has recommended closing Bransford Elementary and Dove Elementary in response to a significant budget deficit. The recommendation was communicated to staff and parents through meetings and letters, prompting emotional reactions and opposition from many parents and community members.

The GCISD Board of Trustees will review the recommendation at an upcoming meeting, with a special meeting for parents and families planned for early December. A final decision on the closures is expected at a board meeting scheduled for December 10th. Additional proposals include selling district properties and exploring new revenue sources.

GCISD recommends closing 2 campuses

A Great Vine Colleyville ISD committee is recommending two elementary schools be closed. The news trickled out of meetings and staff and letters to parents over the last 36 hours. The schools are Bradsford Elementary and Dove Elementary. They would close at the start of next school year if the board approves the recommendation. Fox 4's Amelia Jones spoke with some parents who are not happy with this decision. Amelia. Payton, even though parents at both Dove and Bradsford Elementary were anticipating this news, it was still emotional to read. However, the parents I spoke to tell me for them, the letters don't indicate that this is a done deal and the fight is not over. Great Vine Colleyville ISD confirms a recommendation will be made to the board of trustees to close two elementary schools, Bradsford Elementary in the southern part of the district and Dove Elementary in the northern part. Staff at both elementary schools met with district officials this week. Parents and families were made aware through emails sent by the superintendent. So while I really hope we can continue to advocate and we still have hope, I know the Dove we love will be changed. For months, the GCISD Education Master Planning Committee has met to discuss options to solve the district's large budget deficit. School closures have been at the forefront of the conversation. Despite parents and Great Vines Mayor urging the school board to consider other options. To be clear, I don't think any campus should close. I think that's giving up on our district for not really any gain at all. Ashley Johnson has three kids at Bradsford Elementary and a toddler at home. Johnson has worked to rally parents together to support staff and fight against school closures. When she read the letter, there was a mix of emotions, sadness, but also anger towards the process and data used by the committee. Dove and Bradsford specifically, we've never been off the chopping block, you know, and the fact it could have been done differently, it should have been done differently. And again, that's where the anger comes in because our kids and our staff, our community deserves so much better. Dove families received the news the same night as the school's annual movie night. We are taking every event as our last. Renee Hart has two kids at Dove Elementary. She's one of the parents who helped organize parent forums to help others understand the committee's updates and process. They held a second forum Thursday night. It doesn't make sense. And without a long-term plan, there's no reason that we see that it has to happen right now. In addition to school closures, the committee is recommending the board sell properties and explore options to generate revenue for the district. These include more programming, advertising opportunities, and partnerships with the city. But parents at Dove in Bransford aren't giving up yet. Our community's worth it, our children are worth it, but our staff are worth fighting for, and we want them to know that. So yes, it is not over, not over by a long shot. The GCISD Board of Trustees will hear the recommendation at their upcoming meeting on Monday, but they will not take any action then. In the letter to parents and families, the superintendent said the district intends to hold a special meeting for parents and families the first week of December. Then the Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting to consider taking action on that recommendation December 10th. Peyton, Steve.

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Breakdown