Corpus Christi ISD will demolish Fannin, Kostoryz, Sanders and Travis elementary schools and Browne and Martin middle schools, all campuses that were closed by the district ahead of the 2026-27 school year.
Haas Middle School, which was also closed, will serve as the new instructional resource center. The district's former Corpus Christi ISD Instructional Resource Center, which was housed in the former Cunningham Middle School, will also be demolished.
The fate of the campuses was determined by the Corpus Christi Independent School District school board Aug. 10. The demolitions are in line with the district's approach to other vacant school buildings, including the old Carroll High School campus.
Ahead of the school board vote, trustee Mary Bell
expressed reluctance to tear down the buildings, asking whether gyms could be left standing and offered to the community for use.
"Stand-alone buildings who are vacant become invitations [for] lots of broken windows, for people getting into the building," Superintendent Roland Hernandez said.
The old Carroll High School attracted intruders and vandals, according to previous school board discussions.
Hernandez added that the district had closed the campuses for financial reasons, in order to save on reduced air conditioning, electric and maintenance costs.
According to meeting documents, the date for completion of the demolitions is June 30, 2027. The projects will cost more than $3.2 million, which will come from bond 2022 funds.
The demolitions will be completed by three Corpus Christi companies, White Star Services, Camacho Demolition and Coastal Bend Demolition. The district also received bids from San Antonio, Houston and North Richland Hills companies.
A majority of the board voted to award the contractual agreements for the demolitions. Bell was the sole "no" vote.
Olivia Garrett reports on education and community news in South Texas. Contact her at olivia.garrett@caller.com.
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Seven Corpus Christi ISD schools to be demolished, one building spared
