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Last Updated: January 21, 2026
Arlington ISD Board votes to close Blanton Elementary
On Tuesday, January 20, the Arlington ISD Board of Trustees voted to close Blanton Elementary at the end of this school year. This decision was not made lightly and reflects the Board’s commitment to ensuring that Arlington ISD campuses are thriving learning environments for all students in the district.
The decision was driven by three key factors:
Infrastructure: The 69-year-old facility faces mounting maintenance challenges. The district aims to move students into modern, well-maintained environments that better support 21st-century learning.
Enrollment: Declining enrollment in the Blanton attendance zone necessitates a strategic reallocation of talent and resources to ensure the greatest impact on student outcomes.
Academic Growth: Streamlining the district’s footprint allows for a higher concentration of staff and specialized programs to promote Exceptional Experiences for every student.
The only item board members voted on was the closure of the campus. Trustees did not make any decision on attendance boundaries, transportation, or special programming. The Board will still take formal action to rezone the Blanton attendance zone ahead of the 26-27 school year. The schools Blanton students could be rezoned to include Burgin, Crow, Goodman, and Swift elementary schools.
Arlington ISD’s top priority is supporting students, families, and staff through this transition. The remainder of this school year will continue as planned. At the same time, we are committed to making the transition to a new school as smooth and thoughtful as possible for every Blanton student next year. Support will include family meetings, campus tours, a dedicated transition liaison, and a priority transfer window in April.
Meeting Presentations
Board Discussions
At the Board meeting on Thursday, January 8, Trustees discussed a plan to potentially close Blanton Elementary as an elementary school at the end of this school year and repurpose the newest part of the building for another Arlington ISD purpose. No decision has been made.
This discussion was guided by our District Values and Beliefs, specifically our commitment to providing exceptional learning environments.
“We believe our children deserve safe, well-designed spaces that support strong instruction. These discussions are about being thoughtful with our resources while keeping students at the center of every decision. Our goal is to ensure every child learns in a setting that supports growth, encourages engagement, and helps them succeed." - Dr. Matt Smith
January 14 Family Meeting
In line with our belief that partnerships with families are the foundation of success, district leaders held an informational meeting to share next steps, information about potential new school assignments, transportation, and support services. This entire discussion is guided by our District Values and Beliefs, specifically our commitment to providing productive learning environments.
Digging into the Data
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the district closing Blanton Elementary School?
- Learning Environments & Infrastructure: The infrastructure of Blanton Elementary is now 69 years old. While the campus has had partial renovations over the years, the Facility Condition Index indicates that the building's age makes it increasingly difficult to maintain the high-quality, modern learning environment our students deserve.
- Declining Enrollment: Our most recent demography report indicates a trend of declining enrollment within the Blanton school zone. To honor our value of Maximized Resources, we must ensure that our district talent and financial resources are positioned where they can most effectively promote student learning and fiscal stability.
- Academic Growth: Ensuring every student has access to the most robust academic programs and resources available is our primary goal. By streamlining our campus footprints, we can better concentrate our staff and resources to create the exceptional experiences that ignite a passion for learning in every child.
