By Houston ISD recently held a community meeting to discuss the proposed co-location of Pleasantville Elementary School and Port Houston Elementary School to Holland Middle School. This proposal is part of a larger $4.4 billion bond initiative that will be on the November 5th election ballot. The bond aims to address HISD’s challenges with declining enrollment, financial constraints, and the need for safe and modern school facilities.
If approved, the bond would result in the relocation of students from eight schools to seven existing campuses. The district has allocated $580 million from the bond for renovations and rebuilds to accommodate the increased number of students and enhance educational environments.
During the meeting, HISD officials outlined the logistics of the co-location plan for Holland Middle School and the two elementary schools, emphasizing the goal of sharing key resources while maintaining each school’s unique identity. The proposal calls for the three schools to share larger communal spaces, such as cafeterias and gymnasiums, while still operating independently with separate staff, student bodies, and designated entrances.
Holland Middle School is set to undergo partial renovations estimated at $140 million, with a current utilization rate of 71%. Pleasantville Elementary and Port Houston Elementary have utilization rates of 60% and 63%, respectively, but enrollment at all three campuses is expected to decline, supporting the need for strategic co-locations.
HISD leaders stressed that the bond proposal is part of a broader strategy to avoid school closures while optimizing resources. In earlier discussions, the district considered rezoning, consolidating campuses, or using bond funds for a smaller number of schools. Ultimately, HISD chose co-location as a solution that would benefit more campuses and maintain educational services despite declining enrollment.
The district plans to follow a standardized format for all future co-location meetings, which will include a 30-minute presentation followed by an interactive Q&A session. Community members are encouraged to express their concerns and ask questions about topics such as safety, transportation, and academic quality. To facilitate open communication, attendees can submit their feedback using sticky notes placed around the meeting space.
HISD views co-location as a potential way to reduce operational costs while maintaining educational quality. The district’s Senior Executive Director of Support, Daniel Soliz, emphasized that the goal is to provide a stable and supportive learning environment for all students during the transition.
The meeting also addressed the potential for significant renovations and new construction under the bond, with a focus on modernizing school facilities and addressing critical safety issues such as HVAC systems and lead abatement. HISD officials explained that these updates are essential for creating safe, modern, and effective learning environments.
HISD officials referenced the success of the 2012 bond, which focused primarily on high school improvements. The proposed “Renew HISD” bond aims to expand on that success by providing comprehensive upgrades across all school levels, benefiting elementary, middle, and high schools alike, to ensure all students have access to safe, high-quality educational facilities.
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