At the Amarillo Independent School District (AISD) Board of Trustees meeting on Monday, members of the Pleasant Valley community once again urged the board to reverse its decision to close Pleasant Valley Elementary School. The school, located in north Amarillo, is among three campuses being consolidated due to declining enrollment numbers. Parents and residents voiced their concerns over the impact the closure would have on their children's education and well-being.
James Brown, a community member, opened the public comment session by asking the audience, “By show of hands: who all is here for Pleasant Valley?” When around 20 hands were raised, he turned to address the board, emphasizing the importance of reconsidering the school’s closure. The closure is part of a broader decision made by AISD in December to shut down Pleasant Valley, Park Hills, and Sunrise Elementary Schools. The schools will not reopen for the 2025-2026 school year.
The move to consolidate the schools follows a pattern of declining enrollment in the district, a situation that was discussed in depth with AISD officials and consultants like Dr. Ray Perryman, who suggested consolidation as the most viable solution for addressing the financial challenges posed by shrinking student numbers. AISD Superintendent Doug Loomis reiterated the difficulty of making such decisions but pointed to the district’s financial realities, emphasizing that with fewer students, maintaining multiple schools has become unsustainable.
Concerns Over Texas Education Agency (TEA) Ratings
One of the primary concerns raised by those speaking at the meeting was the Texas Education Agency (TEA) ratings of the schools to which Pleasant Valley students are being reassigned. In particular, one parent expressed concerns about the lower ratings of the schools compared to Pleasant Valley, which had received an "A" rating in 2022.
The parent, who recently moved to the area specifically for its educational offerings, argued that the proposed transfers would deprive students of the high-quality education they had come to expect. “It’s unfair that the most innocent among us must bear the burden of budgetary cuts,” he said, pointing out that the schools to which children would be transferred do not carry the same reputation for excellence.
Although the TEA’s ratings for the 2023 and 2024 school years are still pending, the concern remains that the quality of education at the receiving campuses might not meet the high standards set by Pleasant Valley, which has long been seen as an outstanding school.
Community Impact and the Push for Revitalization
Community member Hope McCoy also addressed the board, highlighting the struggles that families in the Pleasant Valley area would face as a result of the school closure. She explained that the distance to other campuses would be particularly difficult for those without reliable transportation.
McCoy also shared the community’s efforts to gain recognition as an official neighborhood, a designation that could help drive revitalization in the area. She stressed that the community values education deeply, stating, “We have big hearts, and we want, we need our ‘A’ rated school so our children have a solid educational foundation.”
She also requested that the board hold a public discussion during the upcoming April 21 meeting to address concerns and provide a platform for community members to ask questions about the closures.
AISD’s Position on School Consolidations
While acknowledging the concerns expressed by the community, AISD Superintendent Doug Loomis defended the district’s position, stating that the decision to close schools was necessary given the district’s current funding structure, which is largely determined by enrollment numbers. He noted that Pleasant Valley, despite its strong academic performance, is one of the district's lowest-enrolled schools.
Loomis emphasized that AISD does not intend to sell the Pleasant Valley property and that the school could potentially reopen in the future if the area experiences growth. He also reassured the community that the district is working to create partnerships that would allow the buildings to still serve the community in other ways after consolidation.
Staffing and Student Transfers
In the wake of the school closures, AISD has been working to find new positions for the 180 staff members impacted by the consolidation. As of the meeting, 174 staff members had been successfully reassigned, with the district still working on finding placements for the remaining six.
On the student side, Deputy Superintendent Kevin Phillips reported that the district has begun the transfer process for students affected by the closures. Parents have been given priority transfer placements to ensure their children can enroll in the school of their choice, with some opting for schools within the district, others seeking transfers outside of the district, and some families even planning to leave the city.
Phillips noted that the district is facing an uphill battle, as some families are relocating in response to the district’s declining enrollment numbers. “We’re all fighting in terms of enrollment,” Phillips said.
Looking Ahead
Despite the difficult decisions, AISD officials emphasized their commitment to ensuring that all students receive a quality education, even as the district navigates these challenging times. Loomis acknowledged the tough nature of the decision to consolidate but reiterated that the district must take action to align its resources with the current enrollment realities.
As the community continues to voice its concerns, AISD remains focused on making the transition as smooth as possible for both students and staff. However, with further consolidation potentially on the horizon, the future of Amarillo's public schools remains uncertain as enrollment numbers continue to decline.
