Custodial staff will be reassigned to other campuses. Specific placement will be dependent upon where positions are open throughout the District.
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Driscoll, Wilshire, and Clear Spring School Consolidation Overview
Decision Date: February 10, 2025
Effective School Year: 2025–2026To ensure long-term sustainability, equitable access to resources, and high-quality learning environments for all students, the NEISD Board made the decision on February 10, 2025 to Driscoll Middle School, Wilshire Elementary, and Clear Spring Elementary and repurpose select facilities beginning with the 2025–2026 school year. This page is designed to answer the most common questions from families, staff, and community members and will be updated as new information becomes available.
About the Decision
The decision to consolidate campuses was based on long-term financial, demographic, and operational data. North East ISD has been engaged in extensive analysis and planning over several years to ensure the district remains fiscally responsible while continuing to provide high-quality educational opportunities for all students.
Financial Context
Since the passage of House Bill 3 in 2019, school districts across Texas have not seen significant increases in state funding for general operations. At the same time, inflation has reduced the District’s purchasing power by approximately $1,340 per student since 2020. While the 88th Legislative Session in 2023 provided limited funding for school safety initiatives, no broad increases were made to the basic allotment.
In June 2023, the NEISD Board of Trustees approved a $35 million compensation package—the largest pay increase in the district in 20 years—to support staff recruitment and retention. During that meeting, it was noted that cost savings would be necessary to balance this investment. To begin addressing a $39 million budget deficit, the District identified a need to reduce expenses by approximately $10 million per year for the next three years. With 87% of the district’s budget allocated to personnel, achieving this target required a thorough review of district operations.
Enrollment and Demographic Trends
Demographic trends are also impacting enrollment. According to CDC data, birth rates have declined by approximately 2% annually from 2014 to 2023. This has contributed to a statewide decline in student enrollment and attendance, and NEISD has experienced a reduction of approximately 12,000 students over the past 10 years—equivalent to the capacity of 37 elementary campuses. Currently, more than 70% of households in the NEISD area do not have school-aged children, further influencing enrollment patterns.
District Efforts to Address Enrollment
NEISD has implemented several strategies to support student recruitment and retention:
- Reimagined and expanded magnet programs (e.g., iCSI, SETA, MacUNITED)
- Redesigned Kinder Round-Up with earlier outreach, advertising, and a centralized website with video resources
- Increased access to campus tours and enhanced campus websites
- Partnered with a consulting firm to improve district storytelling and outreach
- Conducted community surveys, exit surveys, and follow-up meetings with families who left the district
- Initiated an attendance study to better understand participation trends
Cost-Saving Measures
To operate more efficiently and prioritize resources for instruction, the District has also taken steps to reduce operational costs:
- Adjustments to secondary staffing allocations
- Redesign of the Hyper-Accelerated Math program
- Reductions in department budgets
- Implementation of cost containment measures (e.g., travel, food, furniture)
- Completion of a district-wide facility assessment to evaluate building usage and long-term sustainability
What’s Next for the Campuses
During the February 2025 board meeting, NEISD also shared how the three campuses will be repurposed:
- Wilshire Elementary will become a North East Police Department (NEPD) Substation and training center for NEPD officers and Campus Safety Specialists.
- Clear Spring Elementary will be converted into the new home of the North East Alternative Center (NEAC).
- Driscoll Middle School will house the Academy of Creative Education (ACE) and North East Transition Services (NETS), and serve as a staff professional development center.
These transitions are cost-neutral to the District. NEISD already owns the equipment—such as desks, chairs, and instructional materials—needed to prepare these facilities for new use.
What’s Next for Families
Students and parents at Driscoll, Clear Spring, and Wilshire were sent an email on February 21, 2025 informing theme of their new campuses, and inviting them to a special welcome event. Updated boundary maps were provided at the campus presentations, and can be found in the links below.
Campus leaders and staff will collaborate to ensure all necessary support and resources are in place for incoming students. Specific strategies, like the Welcome Events, will be developed and implemented once the consolidation plans are finalized.
NEISD remains committed to keeping our community informed throughout this transition. Learn more by exploring the links below:
- Board Meeting Recap — Summary of the recommendation, vote, and next steps
- Campus Presentations — View campus-specific presentations shared with school communities
- Parent Letters — Read official communications sent to families
- 25-26 Boundary Maps
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Parent Notifications
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Frequently Asked Questions
General
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How was the Long-Range Efficiencies Committee selected, and what steps were taken to ensure impartiality in the process? Were representatives from the impacted schools included in the committee? Was every area of the district represented?
Yes, all areas of the District were represented. Each board member selected individuals for the committee to represent their respective areas. There was no requirement to be a business owner. Additionally, staff members from across the District were also part of the committee.
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Are there additional school consolidations planned beyond the current recommendations?
Driscoll, Clear Spring, and Wilshire are the only schools recommended for consolidation for the 2025–2026 school year.
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What was the timeline of community outreach and communication?
- On Friday, May 17, 2024, parents & employees were notified during a Dr. Maika message that Budget Study Sessions would begin on Monday, May 20.
- During Budget Study Session #1 – Information regarding Attendance, Enrollment & Campus Utilization/Capacity was shared, among many other budget-related topics.
- During the 2nd Budget Study Session – on June 3 – it was shared with the Board that Efficiency & Facility Assessment Results would be taken into consideration as future strategies regarding our District budget, savings, and efficiency decisions. It was also announced that results from the Facility Assessment would be shared in August.
- During the 3rd Budget Study Session – a deficit budget was passed, with no compensation for staff – along with Board conversations surrounding cost savings scenarios.
- On Aug. 12, the results of the Facilities Assessment was shared with the NEISD Board of Trustees during a regular board meeting. The Long-Range Efficiency & Facilities Steering Committee were discussed and plans were approved for these committees to move forward.
- Dr. Maika shared with all staff & parents a message on Sept. 3 an update regarding next steps from the Facility Assessment, including information on the committees being formed and the work they will be doing over the following months.
- On Dec. 9, Dr. Maika again communicated with all staff and parents through a message that recommendations from the Long-Range Efficiency Committee would be shared with the NEISD Board of Trustees that night, and they were encouraged to watch that discussion via the livestream, for updates.
- The evening of Dec. 9, during the Board meeting, which is livestreamed, recommendations on campus consolidation were not presented until shortly before 10 p.m. As soon as the presentation was complete, a letter was shared with all staff and parents. As part of that letter, a webpage link was included where questions could be asked. The Board meeting did not conclude until 11:00 p.m.
- The morning of Dec. 10, that letter was shared on the NEISD Facebook & Instagram pages and the NEISD website. It was also shared on the campus Facebook pages for Wilshire, Clear Spring & Driscoll. A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) webpage is continually being updated.
- Community meetings will be held in January and February.
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How much money will be saved? Will those savings be used for raises, programs, or facilities?
We are currently evaluating possibilities for the buildings, considering factors like efficiency and facility conditions. The consolidation of these three schools is projected to save up to $3 million. Decisions on how these funds will be utilized are still being considered, with a focus on addressing district priorities.
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Will there be events like a closing ceremony to honor the school communities?
Please contact the campus for information.
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Will events and programs for the current school year still take place?
If the recommendation for consolidation is approved by the Board of Trustees, it would occur in the 2025-26 school year. This school year will not be impacted.
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Capacity
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How is school capacity defined?
Capacity refers to the number of students a school is designed to accommodate compared to the current enrollment.
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Can the district provide details regarding enrollment levels based on the considered criteria of campuses operating at 50% or less capacity, as well as, data for the middle school campuses in proximity?
Schools Operating Under 50% Capacity
CampusEnrollmemtCapacityDriscoll Middle School5341,410Jackson Middle School6351,483Canyon Ridge Elementary4501,255Dellview Elementary316648Harmony Hills Elementary375819Las Lomas Elementary450998Longs Creek Elementary5401,086Montgomery Elementary239991Oak Meadow Elementary390965Redland Oaks Elementary3491,078Serna Elementary301767Wetmore Elementary4791,026Wilshire Elementary185577Woodstone Elementary5551,153Enrollment of Middle Schools within Proximity of Driscoll Middle School
CampusEnrollmemtCapacityBradley Middle School1,1541,996Garner Middle School7721,275Harris Middle School8971,746Wood Middle School6481,286 -
How will the district ensure that receiving schools do not exceed capacity limits?
Currently, no middle schools in the District are considered overcrowded. Two middle schools, including Driscoll, are operating at below 50% utilization, while the other 12 middle schools are within 50-75% utilization. The District will ensure that any consolidation plans prioritize balanced class sizes and appropriate resource allocation. Final decisions will be made by the Board of Trustees in February.
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How have enrollment trends, capacity issues, and new developments influenced the consolidation decisions?
Enrollment has been declining for 12 years. NEISD is largely landlocked, and most homes in the district do not have school-aged children. For more details, please review the Dec. 9, 2024 Board presentation.
Two middle schools, including Driscoll, are operating at below 50% utilization. The other twelve middle schools fall within a utilization range of 50-75%. Final consolidation plans, including decisions about student placements, will be determined by the Board of Trustees in February.
Following the recent community meetings, we have uploaded presentations that provide information on the consolidation and factors. For details, please refer to the presentations above.
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Facilities, Boundaries, & Transportation
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Will transportation continue for magnet school students who currently use Driscoll as their bus pick-up and drop-off location?
For the 2025-26 school year, we will implement a bus rider registration process for all middle and high school magnet students who are interested in transportation to/from their magnet campus. This means:
- Families will have an option to select their bus stop location rather than defaulting to your “home campus.”
- The Transportation Department can more effectively plan for bus participation and decrease the likelihood of overcrowding.
- Bus reliability will be improved.
The registration process is now open and the deadline to register is Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
Students who are registered for their magnet shuttle by June 10, 2025 will be guaranteed bus service on the first day of school. Students who miss the bus registration deadline of June 10 will be placed on a waiting list. All students on the waiting list will receive bus service, but it may not be until after the week of August 25, 2025 as our Transportation Department makes route adjustments.
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Will transportation options change for magnet school students affected by the consolidation?
For the 2025-26 school year, we will implement a bus rider registration process for all middle and high school magnet students who are interested in transportation to/from their magnet campus. This means:
- Families will have an option to select their bus stop location rather than defaulting to your “home campus.”
- The Transportation Department can more effectively plan for bus participation and decrease the likelihood of overcrowding.
- Bus reliability will be improved.
The registration process is now open and the deadline to register is Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
Students who are registered for their magnet shuttle by June 10, 2025 will be guaranteed bus service on the first day of school. Students who miss the bus registration deadline of June 10 will be placed on a waiting list. All students on the waiting list will receive bus service, but it may not be until after the week of August 25, 2025 as our Transportation Department makes route adjustments.
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Academic Services & District Programs
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How will the District ensure my child has access to after-school care, particularly at campuses that may see increased demand?
The District will collaborate with campus leaders and staff to ensure adequate support and resources are available for incoming students, including after-school care.
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Will transportation options change for magnet school students affected by the consolidation?
For the 2025-26 school year, we will implement a bus rider registration process for all middle and high school magnet students who are interested in transportation to/from their magnet campus. This means:
- Families will have an option to select their bus stop location rather than defaulting to your “home campus.”
- The Transportation Department can more effectively plan for bus participation and decrease the likelihood of overcrowding.
- Bus reliability will be improved.
The registration process is now open and the deadline to register is Tuesday, June 10, 2025.
Students who are registered for their magnet shuttle by June 10, 2025 will be guaranteed bus service on the first day of school. Students who miss the bus registration deadline of June 10 will be placed on a waiting list. All students on the waiting list will receive bus service, but it may not be until after the week of August 25, 2025 as our Transportation Department makes route adjustments.
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How will special education students be affected by these changes?
We are committed to working with campus leaders and staff to ensure that special education students receive the necessary support and resources during the transition.
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With this major shuffling of students, how can you ensure that my children will receive the academic support they need from the start of the school year?
We are committed to working closely with campus leaders and staff to ensure that all necessary support and resources are in place for incoming students. Our goal is to make the transition as smooth as possible and provide the support needed for their continued academic success.
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School Choice
The School Choice window is open from December 2, 2024, and will close on July 25, 2025, at 4:45 p.m.
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How will School Choice be impacted for students affected by consolidation? choice applications (opting into another NEISD campus) be allowed/accepted during the remainder of 2024 and all of 2025?
The School Choice window is open from December 2, 2024, and will close on July 25, 2025, at 4:45 p.m.
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Staffing & Human Resources
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What will happen to teachers in specialized positions, such as electives, if there are no vacant positions available at other schools?
Human Resources will work with teachers to ensure a smooth transition, giving employees at these schools priority for open positions.
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Regarding custodial staff, what options do the Head Custodian and Assistant Head Custodian at Driscoll have for their current positions? Will their pay be reduced if no equivalent positions are available? Will the custodial team be reassigned as a group or spread out across other schools?
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What support services and resources will be available to help staff manage potential emotional impacts following the announcement of this news?
NEISD offers several support resources for staff:
ComPsych: This free Employee Assistance Program is available to all NEISD employees, regardless of whether or not you are enrolled in health plan. It provides NEISD employees and family members access to eight free counseling sessions per topic, per year, via phone or video chat. You or a family member can speak with a licensed therapist at no cost to you. Additional information is available on the ComPsych tab of the Wellness webpage at neisd.net/wellness. Remember, to log in with your NEISD credentials first. You can also download the ComPsych Guidance Now mobile app for easy access.
Learn to Live: Available to employees on a BCBSTX medical plan, this program offers confidential digital mental health resources. Complete a short, online self-assessment to help pinpoint the programs right for you, then explore quick and easy lessons based on the recommendations and connect with a mental health coach to help you achieve your goals. Access Learn to Live by logging into Blue Access for Members and navigating to the Wellness tab at the top right of the screen.
Headway: Also available to employees on a BCBSTX medical plan, this platform helps find in-network mental health providers, and can be booked online through the secure platform without having to take the time to make various phone calls for scheduling. On this platform you can see therapist bios including what to expect on your first visit, and can sort through different preferences such as location, gender, therapy style, etc. Headway offers providers who can be seen in as a little as 48 hours and is a great option for those who are looking to get seen immediately with an in-network provider.
These services can assist and equip staff with tools and support during this transition period.
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How will teacher and staff reassignments be handled, and what flexibility will be provided?
Human Resources is committed to working closely with these employees to address their placement and options.
Many staff members will transition with students to the same campuses. However, some may not. The District will work closely with staff to accommodate their needs whenever possible and ensure a smooth transition for all.
At this time, no relocations are proposed for this school year. The recommendations and changes are planned for the 2025-26 school year.
Last Modified on Thursday at 10:25 AM
