More than 40 people attended a meeting Tuesday evening at the AmTech Banquet Hall to hear possible solutions to declining enrollment in Amarillo ISD. The Community Advisory Committee has met since September. It must select a path forward by Nov. 17 and present guidance to the board of trustees in December.
Elementary schools are using about 70% of their available seats on average. With enrollment still falling, that figure could reach 61% in five years. The district closed three elementary schools effective last school year. In March 2025, then-Superintendent Doug Loomis said more consolidations might be needed.
Bob Templeton, a consultant with STRIVE Public Policy Resources, presented three possible paths. He said the committee has prioritized preserving district programs, creating consistency, considering feeder patterns for all high schools, communicating a decision to the community, and not rushing. According to Templeton's research, 35 of the district's 50 campuses were built before 1960. He said the paths were designed with the aging facilities in mind. Path A could start by the 2027-28 school year, would involve no construction and is the most cost-effective option, he said. It would retire three elementary schools and move 6th grade to the corresponding middle school campuses.