More than 100 HISD school buildings may need to be replaced

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According to Houston ISD facility projections for the 2025-26 school year, more than 100 HISD schools may need to be replaced due to poor facility conditions. The district calculates a Facility Condition Index (FCI) for each campus, with an FCI above 60% suggesting a building needs to be replaced. HISD's data shows 103 schools had an FCI score above 60% this year, highlighting the scale of the district's aging infrastructure issues.

Why it matters

The poor facility conditions at many HISD schools raise concerns about student safety and the quality of learning environments. This comes as the district plans to close 12 schools, with many of the targeted campuses having high FCI scores. The facility challenges HISD faces could impact enrollment, educational outcomes, and the overall community.

The details

HISD calculates the Facility Condition Index (FCI) for each campus, which is the total cost of repairs divided by the cost of replacing the facility. An FCI above 60% suggests a building needs to be replaced. According to the district's projections, 103 HISD schools had an FCI score above 60% this year, with Woodson PK-5 Leadership Academy having the highest score at over 102%. The district conducted a comprehensive facilities assessment in 2023 to update building condition data, cost estimates, and 10-year planning assumptions.

• HISD's facility projections are for the 2025-26 school year.
• The district's most recent comprehensive Facilities Condition Assessment was conducted in 2020.
• HISD completed a districtwide refresh of the assessment in 2023.

What’s next

The HISD school board plans to vote on Thursday on the proposal to close 12 schools, many of which have high FCI scores indicating the need for replacement.