Emotions ran high at the Grapevine-Colleyville ISD board meeting this week as parents, students, and even the mayor fought back against a proposal to shutter two elementary schools that have served as neighborhood anchors for generations.
The district is considering closing Dove Elementary and Bransford Elementary amid budget concerns and dwindling enrollment, a move officials say would save $2.7 million as the district grapples with financial challenges. Since 2019, the district has lost approximately 1,500 students—translating to more than $10 million in lost state funding that’s tied directly to attendance and enrollment numbers, according to district data.
“Bransford Elementary is only at 67% capacity, and it’s even lower at Dove at 57%,” district officials noted in their presentation of the closure rationale. But for families and community members, the schools represent much more than utilization statistics.
Community Pushback
The board meeting quickly transformed into a marathon listening session as approximately 75 people signed up for public comment, with the vast majority voicing opposition to the closures. The public comment portion didn’t even begin until 8 p.m., as reported by local media.
Parents didn’t mince words. “I’m just here to put on record the inconsistencies, the lies, the empty promises and skewed data,” said Bransford parent Terry Wilhelm, whose frustration was palpable. He added a pointed political warning to trustees: “If you want a seat at the table in May, I encourage you to at least vote to slow the process because this community will decide whether you sit here in June.”
Perhaps the most heart-wrenching moments came when students themselves took to the microphone. “It makes us devastated because we love Dove and we’ve all been there for a long time and don’t want to see our school fall apart,” said Lizzy, a fourth grader at Dove Elementary.
Another student, Huntley, challenged board members with a creative plea: “Challenge yourselves to grow our school beyond what you think is possible. Don’t be a grinch and steal our schools.” The room fell silent as children made their appeals, many fighting back tears.
Mayor Offers Financial Lifeline
Is there a way to pause the process? Grapevine Mayor William D. Tate thinks so. He’s offered to help raise $1.2 million to keep Dove Elementary open for at least another year while the district explores alternative budget solutions. But as of Wednesday, his office indicated the board president hasn’t responded to this offer.
The recommendations for closure stem from work done by the district’s Education Master Planning Committee, which began meeting in January 2025 to provide what officials call “a systemic view” of facilities and enrollment projections. Critics, however, argue the process has been rushed and lacks transparency.
Many parents at the meeting questioned not just the decision itself, but the quality of the data behind it. Criticism of “skewed data” and “inconsistencies” echoed throughout the evening, with multiple speakers urging the board to slow down and reconsider.
What Happens Next
The board hasn’t yet voted on the closure plan, though the timeline appears to be moving quickly. Parents expressed particular frustration over what they perceive as a rushed decision-making process that hasn’t adequately involved the community.
For now, families at both schools remain in limbo as they await the board’s decision. Meanwhile, classrooms at Dove and Bransford continue to operate under a cloud of uncertainty—with teachers trying to maintain normalcy for students who simply want their school homes to remain intact.
“We love our schools,” one parent said near the end of the meeting, voice cracking. “Once you close them, that’s it—you can never get that community back.”
