BEAUMONT, Texas — The Beaumont Independent School District Board of Trustees has voted to close King Middle School.
The decision was announced during a school board meeting on Thursday, March 21, 2024.
(EDITOR'S NOTE: The above video aired on the March 21, 2024 6 p.m. broadcast, before the decision was announced)
District leaders cite under-enrollment and a poor campus rating as the main reasons for the schools closure.
Superintendent Dr. Shannon Allen told 12News they've taken a number of considerations into account when making this decision.
"Enrollment, capacity of buildings where our students are actually going to school. So when we started that process we were keying in on that data of where we are loosing data. That is at the middle school level," said Dr. Allen.
King Middle School is operated by a charter, Green Dot Public Schools. The organization has operated the campus in partnership with BISD since 2020.
Dr. Allen says while the district respects the progress made so far, it hasn't been what they hoped.
"We are going to make the recommendation tonight to end that partnership earlier than anticipated," she said.
The nearly 300 students impacted would be rezoned in line with other efforts by the district, which makes alumnus and former staff Devin Johnson concerned for the future of the school.
"What's the point of having a MLK parade without King Middle School in front? King Middle School is supposed to lead the way every year. Cause that is Dr. King's words," Johnson said.
The school will be repurposed and the name will remain, according to Dr. Allen.
"We are committed to maintaining that facility, it's a beautiful facility. We will also honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King with the name," she said.
Teachers who are employed by the charter company will have an opportunity to stay within the district.
"We have a job fair coming up and plenty of openings with the district, that we are encouraging the staff to attend," said Dr. Allen.
Previously the district sent an email to parents announcing that it would be recommending the closure of King Middle School for the 2024-2025 school year.
The district says that while this decision may be disheartening to some, it was not made lightly and it is in the best interest of the students.
King Middle School parents will be notified of their children's new school assignments for the 2024-2025 school year by Wednesday, April 17 if needed.
Classes will continue as usual until the current school year is over.