The La Joya school district wants to close five schools due to falling enrollment. A proposal announced Thursday would close Benevides, Pena and Leo Elementary schools, as well as Ann Richards Middle School. J.D. Salinas Middle School would also be closed and remodeled to become a career academy for the district’s middle school students.
District officials say enrollment has declined by eight-thousand students over the last ten years, and that the plan will save more than 27-million dollars. The district will hold a series of public meetings before taking a final vote in January.