On Monday night, the Harlandale Independent School District board of trustees voted 4-3 to close four elementary schools this fall — Columbia Heights, Morrill, Rayburn and Carroll Bell. The vote came after an hour of public comments from families and teachers, as well as an hour-long message from the trustees.

The trustees voted on this cost-saving measure as the district faces "declining enrollment and a $12 million budget deficit."

The closure of the four elementary schools and reorganization of the district was the board's Option B plan. Option A would have closed Vestal Elementary instead of Caroll Bell, and Option C did not call for the repurposing of any campuses. Option A received four votes of "no" and two votes of "yes," while Option C did not get voted on because Option B passed.

Columbia Heights, Morrill, Rayburn and Carroll Bell are all operating at 50% capacity, and the merging of district resources is intended to "enhance opportunities" for students. When the schools close this fall, students will be consolidated into another school and the buildings will be repurposed for educational activities.

This vote is the second of its kind in the area to take place recently. Just last week, South San Antonio Independent School District voted to close Kazen Middle School, Athens Elementary, and Kindred Elementary.