BISD Makes Difficult Decision to Close SFA Elementary Due to Low Enrollment, Less Than 50% Capacity (145)
After much deliberation, Brazosport ISD must announce the closure of Stephen F. Austin Elementary School (SFA) at the end of this academic year. While closing any campus is never easy, this decision is especially difficult because of SFA’s deep roots in the Jones Creek community. Jones Creek is a close-knit area that takes great pride in its neighborhood school, and we recognize the emotional impact this will have on our families and staff. However, due to a significant decline in enrollment to less than 50 percent of the capacity (145 students), it has become necessary to make this difficult choice.
Why is SFA Closing?
SFA serves students in Pre-Kindergarten through 5th grade, and student enrollment has fallen to just 145 students, which is less than 50 percent capacity of the building. As SFA enrollment declines, the cost per student at SFA has significantly increased, making it the most expensive elementary campus to operate on a per-student basis. Below are student enrollment numbers for comparable BISD campuses. BISD currently spends approximately $2 million dollars each year to operate SFA.
BISD Elementary Student Enrollment Comparison: SFA 145, Brannen 716, Roberts 631, Beutel 569, Freeport Elementary 580, Ogg 509, Griffith 502, Lanier 427, Polk 394
Comparable Spending Cost Per Student
Comparable costs per student at elementary campuses: SFA $8935, Polk $7670, Lanier $7587, Griffith $7661, Ogg $7428, Freeport $7277, Beutel $7065, Roberts $6840, Brannen $6357
Factors Contributing to Declining Enrollment
The Village of Jones Creek has limited housing options for families with school-age children. This has led to a steady decline in enrollment at SFA Elementary, making it no longer feasible to keep the campus open.
Zoning Information for Affected Students
Students currently zoned to attend SFA Elementary will be reassigned to neighboring BISD campuses based on their grade levels. Specific campus assignments are as follows:
- Pre-K through 2nd grade: Freeport Elementary
- 3rd through 5th grade: Lanier Elementary
- 6th through 8th grade: Freeport Intermediate (no change, these students are already zoned here)
- 9th through 12th grade: Brazosport High School (no change, these students are already zoned here)
Capacity and Enrollment at Receiving Campuses
The receiving campuses have ample capacity to accommodate the SFA students. Current enrollment numbers at SFA are as follows:
- Pre-K: 8 students
- Kindergarten: 33 students
- 1st grade: 21 students
- 2nd grade: 18 students
- 3rd grade: 19 students
- 4th grade: 23 students
- 5th grade: 23 students
These numbers indicate that the receiving campuses can easily accommodate the additional students without overcrowding.
SFA Staff Retention
We want to reassure the community that no SFA staff members will lose their jobs due to the closure. All SFA staff will be reassigned to other positions within BISD to ensure they continue to serve our students at different campuses.
Transportation for Affected Students
BISD will provide bus transportation for all students who live in Jones Creek. Elementary students will ride separate buses from high school students due to staggered start and dismissal times. Currently, BISD operates buses for 6th through 12th grade students in Jones Creek to Freeport, and this service will be expanded for all grade levels. Bus routes, pick-up/drop-off times, and locations will be determined once the number of students requesting transportation is confirmed.
Transfer Requests
Parents may apply for a transfer for their children to another BISD campus, provided the student meets the district's transfer criteria and the campus determines it has sufficient space, the campus principal will make the final approval. The transfer request form is available here.
What Happens to the SFA Campus?
That is a future decision that will be made by the Brazosport ISD Board of Trustees.
Bond Funds
BISD had previously allocated funds for a new SFA campus as part of the 2019 Bond Referendum. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, including the impact of the global pandemic, inflation, changes to the land’s floodplain designation, and declining student enrollment the construction of a new school at the current SFA location is no longer viable. These funds will be reallocated to meet the needs of the district. The BISD Citizens Bond Oversight Committee will make recommendations to the BISD Board of Trustees. Bond funds allocated for SFA have not been used for any other BISD projects.
Why Not Establish District Programs at SFA?
Establishing district programs at SFA would not be an effective way to increase student enrollment due to the campus' distance from the majority of BISD students. Given the district-wide enrollment decline, it is not feasible to rely on district programs at SFA to boost enrollment.
Looking Ahead
We recognize that SFA Elementary has been more than just a school, it has been a place of learning, growth, and community for generations of Jones Creek families. While this transition will be difficult for some, BISD remains dedicated to supporting our students, staff, and families through the process. Our priority is ensuring that every child continues to receive a high-quality education in a supportive environment. We appreciate the resilience and understanding of our community and encourage anyone with questions or concerns to utilize our Just Ask! feature on the BISD website. Together, we will navigate this change while keeping the best interests of our students at the heart of every decision.