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Spring Creek Independent School District

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The Spring Creek Independent School District (SCISD) was a public school district located in southeastern Hutchinson County, Texas, United States;[1] it stopped operations in 2024.

The district consisted of a single campus, Spring Creek School, that, at the end of the district's life, served students in grades kindergarten through 12th grade.[2] To boost enrollment, Spring Creek also accepted transfer students from outside of the district.[3]

In 2001, the district only included elementary school, and secondary students (grades 7-12) from Spring Creek ISD's territory were allowed to attend one of three neighboring districts – Borger, Plemons-Stinnett-Phillips, or White Deer.[3] Up to the time of closure, the district still gave the options for 7-12 students to attend any of those three districts, as well as the Panhandle Independent School District.[4]

In 2009, the school district was rated "exemplary" by the Texas Education Agency.[5]

History

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The first Spring Creek School building was built in 1900, one year prior to the organization of Hutchinson County, on the Harvey Ranch. In its first year, there were a total of seven school-aged students, six males and one female, and six under school age for a total of 13. In 1901, the Hutchinson County Commissioners Court divided the county into four school districts, Spring Creek being named district #4. The school moved to several different locations until the 1930s, when a red brick school building was constructed. On March 8, 1938, the school was dedicated in a ceremony attended by approximately 500 people. The Spring Creek Independent School District was formed in 1949.[6]

On September 22, 2001, Spring Creek celebrated its 100th anniversary and held an all-school reunion as well as an official historical marker dedication.[6]

The district changed to a four day school week in fall 2018.[7]

Closure

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The student count was 96 in the 2021-2022 school year.[8] Circa 2023-2024, the enrollment ranged from 72 to 78.[9] In January 2024, enrollment was below 80, with fewer than 10 students living in the school district.[10] The enrollment figures were below those of previous eras.[11] The State of Texas stopped giving state funding since student enrollment was under 90, and the Texas Education Agency (TEA) wanted $600,000 back that it had given the district.[9] The school community believed that funding would be exhausted and the school would collapse.[9] Danny Finch, the final superintendent, stated that the prospective student enrollment for the 2024-2025 school year, had it happened, would be "dire".[12]

Therefore, the district sought to consolidate into the Borger Independent School District.[10] In January 2024, the board of trustees of Spring Creek ISD approved a merger, with one member voting against.[9] In February 2024 all members of the board of trustees of Borger ISD approved a merger agreement.[13] The State of Texas had plans to spend $500,000 to assist the consolidation.[14] On July 1, 2024, the district consolidated into Borger ISD.[15]

Principal/Superintendents

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Since 1937, Spring Creek School had the following principal/superintendents.[6] They are:

  • James W. Dillard (1937-1946)
  • L.E. Dyer (1946-1980)
  • Gene Weeks (1980-1987)
  • Susan Perez (1987-1991)
  • Peter Cameron (1991-1995)
  • Bret Madsen (1995-2012)
  • Mandy Poer (2012–[when?])

Student demographics

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As of the 2007-2008 school year, the Spring Creek Independent School District had a total enrollment of 85 students.[16]

  • Ethnicity[16]
    • Whites: 69 (81.2%)
    • Hispanics: 12 (14.1%)
    • African Americans: 4 (4.7%)
  • Socio-Economic Groups[16]
    • Economic Disadvantaged: 41 (48.2%)
    • Limited English Proficient: 3 (3.5%)
    • Students w/Disciplinary Placements (2006–07): 0 (0.0%)
    • "At-Risk": 40 (47.1%)
  • Historic District Enrollment Figures by school year[16]

Programs

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Spring Creek Elementary School offered a Gifted and Talented Program, a Learning Lab where students can receive assistance on individual curriculum objectives, and a strong technology program. As well as an active Parent-Teacher Organization (P.T.O.).[3][6]

They also offered programs and classes such as: art, journalism, Student Council, National Junior Honor Society, and National Honor Society, basketball.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Hutchinson County, TX" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2024-08-25. - 2010 map
  2. ^ "SPRING CREEK ISD". National Center for Education Statistics. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  3. ^ a b c "School overcomes consolidation, oil industry trends". Amarillo Globe-News. 2001-09-03. Archived from the original on 2011-08-04. Retrieved 2009-08-06.
  4. ^ "Home". Spring Creek Independent School District. Archived from the original on 2024-09-22. Retrieved 2024-09-23. Secondary students (grades 7-12) from Spring Creek [...]
  5. ^ "2009 Accountability Rating System". Texas Education Agency. Archived from the original on 2015-10-25.
  6. ^ a b c d "History – Spring Creek School". Spring Creek Alumni site. Retrieved 2009-08-06.
  7. ^ "Texas School Districts Switching To Four Day School Weeks". KSST. 2023-02-07. Retrieved 2023-02-10.
  8. ^ Burch, Jamie (2024-01-15). "Declining enrollment could force rural school district to close". Amarillo, Texas: ABC 7 Amarillo. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  9. ^ a b c d Cuviello, Michael (2024-01-20). "Spring Creek ISD seeks to consolidate with Borger due to low enrollment and funding". Amarillo Globe-News. Amarillo, Texas. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  10. ^ a b Downing, Mitchell (2024-01-19). "Spring Creek ISD one step closer to consolidating with Borger ISD". ABC 7 Amarillo. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  11. ^ Kessler, Jack; Weathers, Maci (2024-01-16). "Spring Creek ISD votes to move forward with possible consolidation with Borger ISD". Myhighplains.com. Nexstar Media Group, Inc. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  12. ^ Birch, Jamie (2024-01-17). "Spring Creek ISD Superintendent calls projections 'dire', 2024-25 consolidation possible". ABC 7 Amarillo. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  13. ^ Cuviello, Michael (2024-02-09). "Borger ISD agrees to consolidate Spring Creek ISD, voters to decide May 4". Amarillo Globe-News. Amarillo, Texas. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  14. ^ Kennedy, Mike (2024-05-07). "2 districts in Texas panhandle have agreed to merge". American School & University. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
  15. ^ "CONSOLIDATIONS, ANNEXATIONS AND NAME CHANGES FOR TEXAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS" (PDF). Texas Education Agency. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
  16. ^ a b c d "2007-08 AEIS Reports". Texas Education Agency. Archived from the original on 2009-01-21. Retrieved 2009-08-06.

Further reading

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Video
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