CONVERSE, Texas – Update 5/21/25 at 10:54 p.m.
Judson Middle School, Candlewood Elementary School and Franz Leadership Academy will remain open for the time being.
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Board members in the Judson Independent School District passed motions on Wednesday night to not close the campuses.
For more on the district’s decision, click here.
Update at 9:11 p.m.
The Judson Independent School District board members passed a motion on Wednesday to not close Judson Middle School.
The board members are expected to discuss closing Candlewood Elementary and Franz Leadership Academy next.
After the discussions, people in attendance can express their opinions.
UPDATE at 6:00 p.m.
The Judson Independent School District board motioned for a closed session as the meeting started after multiple arguments between board members.
As the rules of the meeting were announced, district board members argued with each other about agenda items.
Original story
The Judson Independent School District board members are expected to discuss and potentially vote on closing three schools during a meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday.
The possibility of closing three JISD schools, including Judson Middle School, initially comes from a budget meeting on May 8, where board members brought up the potential cost-saving idea.
A presentation slide in the May 8 meeting disclosed that closing three district schools could potentially save Judson ISD $1.7 million.
Despite possible million-dollar savings, parents are worried that school closures could pose a major transportation issue for students who live within walking distance of campuses.
“You’re going to possibly run into transportation issues because a lot of our students are in a two-mile radius, which means they’re either walking to school currently or they’re getting dropped off by parents," said Laurie Lerma, a Judson Middle School parent. “How are we going to get those students to these schools that are outside of this two-mile radius?” Lerma questioned.
According to the JISD board meeting agenda, the board will discuss and review updated information on the 2024-25 fiscal year forecast and the proposed 2025-2026 fiscal year budget after public comments.
The agenda also mentioned a closed session after open discussion where the board will “consider and take possible action regarding approval of additional cost reductions.”