BAYTOWN, Texas – Goose Creek Consolidated Independent School District’s Board of Trustees voted in favor of closing Lamar Elementary School due to a decline in student enrollment on Monday.
The district reports a 14% drop in enrollment over the past four years, prompting them to suggest repurposing the building for other district needs.
This plan, however, has left some parents upset, with some questioning the speed of the decision-making process and its impact on the community.
Aleyda Suarez, a parent of current and former Lamar Elementary students, is among those vocal against the move. For Suarez, Lamar is more than just a school – it’s a place that holds deep personal significance.
“This school is not just where my children go. It’s where my family has built a community,” Suarez said. “We’ve faced tough times, and the staff and parents here have always helped us through.”
The district’s proposal involves repurposing Lamar’s building as half daycare and the other portion for alternative school.
“Lower enrollment on the south side of the district has created an opportunity to consolidate facilities, ensuring resources are utilized effectively and equitably,” according to board documents. “Repurposing Lamar Elementary will allow for the expansion of critical programs while addressing the district’s strategic priorities.”
The recommendation was made by the district’s 117 community member GC2035 committee. The committee held five meetings before the trustee’s vote, according to a district spokesperson.
However, Suarez feels the decision is moving too fast.
“If they would have given us maybe 1 to 2 years, you know, to look into this, we would have been okay. That’s fine,” Suarez said.
Now that the board has approved the repurposing plans, during the 2024-2025 school year, students zoned for Lamar will go to Ashbel Smith School or Carver Elementary School.
