Overview of Closure

Location: Fort Worth, Texas

The Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD) will close Dillow Elementary School, impacting over 400 students. This decision follows a unanimous vote by the school board, which expressed concerns about significant structural defects in the nearly 90-year-old building.

Reasons for Closure

The closure comes after school officials identified severe issues with the facility, including:

• Foundation problems
• A major water leak

Due to these structural challenges, students currently enrolled at Dillow Elementary will transition to three nearby schools starting in the next academic year. Educators in good standing from Dillow will be offered positions at other campuses within the district.

Context and Future Plans

Dillow Elementary’s closure is part of a broader evaluation of the district’s facilities. In an effort to optimize resource use, FWISD has engaged in long-term planning, examining the consolidation of several schools. This initiative may potentially affect as many as 25 campuses, including:

• 21 elementary schools
• 3 middle schools
• 1 high school

The goal is to address ongoing budget deficits and declining enrollment rates, challenges that many North Texas school districts are currently facing.

Changes in Middle School Structure

In addition to the school closure, FWISD is also implementing a new block schedule for its middle schools. Superintendent Dr. Karen Molinar highlighted the need for this change based on the performance data of seventh and eighth graders, who are currently underperforming in reading and math compared to state standards.

To improve student outcomes, all 17 traditional middle schools within the district will adopt a schedule that features:

• Longer class periods
• Classes on alternating days

“You have seen our literacy and math data at the middle schools, so you know it’s necessary. We need to pivot. Change is hard, but if we continue, our scores will not improve,” said Dr. Molinar. The district is also planning to hire 21 new teachers to support the transition to this scheduling format.

Conclusion

The closure of Dillow Elementary is a pivotal move in Fort Worth ISD’s efforts to address facility safety concerns and improve educational performance across the district. As they navigate these changes, officials aim to foster an environment conducive to learning and growth for all students.