MARLIN, TX — A state education commissioner has threatened to close the Marlin Independent School District due to low test scores. Now, the City is scrambling to figure out another solution.
The mayor held a discussion Tuesday regarding potential school closure plans.
"My kid's in kindergarten, so we got a lot more years to go, so I'm really concerned about her education," said concerned parent Trina Bahati.
Meanwhile, Mayor Carolyn Lofton is trying to keep hope alive.
"Well, I'm hoping to provide some clarity as to the impact the closing of a school in Marlin would do to the community or what that would look like and why, you know, putting some type of measure in place is essential to Marlin going forward," she said.
The City of Marlin recently brought in former Waco ISD superintendent Dr. Marcus Nelson to help explore the application process for Marlin ISD to become a charter school.
"It's to provide an avenue for our children to have a place to go for public education, so in the event that Marlin ISD closes, we need to have a backup plan in place and that's what we're looking to do," said Mayor Lofton.
The overall goal? Keeping education local.
"Well, because without a school, a community dies," said Mayor Lofton.
City officials say the state education commissioner is supposed to make a decision regarding the future of Marlin ISD this March. They also say a city-operated charter school isn't the only option they are looking at to save their schools, as they are exploring additional avenues.
