Harlingen CISD is moving forward with plans to close two elementary schools at the end of the school year.

The district says the decision is based on low enrollment at Crockett Elementary and Jefferson Elementary.

Students at Crockett will move to Zavala Elementary and Jefferson students will move to Lamar Elementary.

Some parents say they're disappointed by the changes.

Selene Gonzalez has two children at Crockett Elementary.

"This happened all of a sudden… but it's still sad," Gonzalez said.

Her son, a fourth grader, says he's worried about seeing his friends at the new school.

"I just feel sad and I don't know if my friends will come to the new school," student Juan Longoria said.

Elsa Sanchez has a 9-year-old child at Crockett Elementary.

"My son is already settled here, with his friends and his teachers," Sanchez said.

Gonzalez says she walks her kids to and from school now. She lives about three to four minutes away from Crockett.

A walk to Zavala Elementary would take about 30 minutes.

The district says transportation will still be provided for students.

Parent Marissa Ledesma says the change is hard, but she's willing to adapt.

"It sucks because we are comfortable with the staff, the familiar faces; they already know us, but things change," Ledesma said. "I'm not gonna fight it."

The district says Crockett will be repurposed as a community support services facility and Jefferson will become a Head Start Academy.

Harlingen CISD says the plan was designed to maximize the use of facilities and ensure long-term financial sustainability. Read their full statement on the closures below:

The Harlingen CISD Board of Trustees has approved an optimization plan designed to strengthen academic programs, maximize the use of district facilities, and ensure long-term financial sustainability. This work builds on HCISD’s long-standing commitment to expanding access and opportunity for all students. Since opening its first specialty school in 2007, the district has focused on student choice and innovation, guided by the belief that talent is universal, but opportunities are not. The addition of two new specialty academies represents the next step in that effort. Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, students from Crockett Elementary will transition to Zavala STEM Academy, and students from Jefferson Elementary will transition to Lamar Fine Arts Academy.