Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia Statement on HISD Plan to Close 12 Schools

HOUSTON, T.X. – Today, Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (D-TX-29) released the following statement in response to the Houston Independent School District's plan to close 12 schools for the 2026-2027 academic year:

"HISD is making life-changing decisions about neighborhood schools without giving families a real say. 

"Parents, students, and teachers deserve a real voice in what happens to their schools, not last-minute notices and plans that are predetermined. 

"I said from the beginning that the state takeover of HISD stripped parents and voters of their democratic voice, and this moment proves exactly why that matters. 

"Some of the schools on this list are in the neighborhoods I represent, and families are telling me they were blindsided and pushed aside by a process that did not respect them. 

"Closing neighborhood schools without real public engagement disrupts families and weakens entire communities. HISD should pause this plan, open the process to the public, and work with families to find solutions that truly put students first."