HISD to Close 12 Schools, Hundreds of Teachers Face Uncertain Future

District says teachers rated "Progressing 2" or higher will keep their jobs, but placement decisions won't be finalized until April.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Houston ISD's state-appointed Board of Managers is expected to vote on a list of 12 school closures for the upcoming school year, affecting about 500 employees who work at the schools slated for closure. Teachers rated "Progressing 2" or higher for the 2025-26 school year will still have a job in the district, but their placements won't be finalized until April 17. Teachers at closing schools will be prioritized for positions at campuses receiving students, but those rated "Progressing 1" will have their hiring decisions left up to the receiving school's principal.

Why it matters

The proposed school closures in Houston's largest school district will have a significant impact on hundreds of teachers, many of whom have built strong relationships with their students and communities. This decision raises concerns about job security, teacher retention, and the potential disruption to student learning.

The details

HISD announced 12 school closures and co-locations for the upcoming school year, reversing a previous commitment not to close schools. About 500 employees work at the schools slated for closure. Teachers rated "Progressing 2" or higher will keep their jobs, but those rated "Progressing 1" may or may not be hired by the receiving schools. Certified teachers can complete a "priority placement survey" by March 6 to indicate their preferences, and all eligible employees will receive their contracts by May 15.

  • HISD's state-appointed Board of Managers is expected to vote on the school closures next week.
  • Teachers will learn their 2025-26 evaluation ratings in April.
  • Teachers rated "Progressing 2" or higher will receive their school reassignments by April 17.
  • Certified employees can complete a "priority placement survey" by March 6.
  • HISD's open transfer window for teachers to request a different school is from April 27 to May 16.

The players

Mike Miles

State-appointed Superintendent of Houston ISD.

Jackie Anderson

President of the Houston Federation of Teachers.

Damentra Spell

Grandmother of a pre-K student at Burrus Elementary School, one of the schools proposed for closure.

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What they’re saying

“We have good teachers, and we have teachers that are certified. So I hope that they are going to do their very best to place those teachers in jobs, so that they won't lose their jobs. We want to keep as many teachers as possible hired.”

— Jackie Anderson, President, Houston Federation of Teachers (Houston Chronicle)

“Burrus' jump to an A rating in 2025 in the state's A-F school accountability ratings. She said her grandson, who is on the autism spectrum, was nonverbal and learned to speak around 25 words, thanks to his teachers at Burrus.”

— Damentra Spell (Houston Chronicle)

What’s next

The HISD Board of Managers is expected to vote on the proposed school closures next week. If approved, affected teachers will learn their job placements by April 17.

The takeaway

The proposed school closures in Houston ISD highlight the difficult decisions districts must make, and the significant impact these decisions can have on teachers and students. As the district works to reassign affected teachers, it will be crucial to prioritize retaining experienced, effective educators to minimize disruption to student learning.