The Bray Way Forward
The Cedar Hill ISD Board of Trustees and district leadership have decided to retire Bray Elementary School. The campus will no longer serve scholars or staff effective May 26, 2023.
Bray Elementary School is more than a landmark, it represents an idea from years ago that sparked development, innovation, growth and education in our community.
For nearly 122 years, the school has shown its resilience by serving children of all ages and adding building expansions in 1948, 1952, 1972, 1988 and 1998. But, the district’s decline in enrollment, failed bond elections and lack of funding to respond to the critical facility needs has led to the decision to retire the building from service. Unfortunately, the building does not provide our scholars and staff with a safe school environment that meets the needs of learning or teaching in the 21st century.
Bray Elementary Facility Needs & Concerns
Three single-story buildings and four portable buildings that are more than 20 years old.
Most security cameras are not digital and the server is beyond end of life
No restrooms inside the prek classrooms
Scholars must use step stools to reach the urinals and sinks because the facility was outfitted with secondary scholars in mind
All mechanical systems are past their useful life
Roofs are in poor condition
Scholars & staff must walk outside to enter adjacent buildings
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance issues throughout the building
Storage is found in the hallway with shelving that would not fit in the classroom, this presents a challenge to consistently monitor scholars who walk into the hallway for items, or teachers who have to leave the room to access their supplies
There is no adequate storage for musical instruments to support Fine Arts
The campus has experienced plumbing issues including sewage backup that cause the building to close restrooms
Plans for Current Bray Staff & Administration
The CHISD Human Resources Department will meet with current Bray staff individually and finalize placement at another campus within CHISD by April 14. There is a place in Cedar Hill ISD for any current Bray employee who wishes to stay in the district.
Options for Current Bray Families
CHISD is working with Zonda Education, a trusted demographics and planning company to rezone the Bray attendance boundary and assign new home elementary campuses for Bray students. Zonda Education is expected to present to the CHISD Board of Trustees on March 6, with a final Board vote on the new attendance boundary expected on March 20.
Based on the current capacity of CHISD elementary schools, there are campuses within 5 miles from Bray that have the space to absorb some of the students projected to attend Bray next school year (231 students).
As the district finalizes the attendance boundary changes, current families will have the option of applying for two of the three elementary choice programs, Montessori at Lake Ridge Elementary and the reimagined Fine Arts Academy at High Pointe Elementary School.
Bray families who do not want to apply for one of the two elementary choice programs available, will attend their new home campus next year, or can request an in-district transfer to another CHISD campus. Students currently enrolled in Bray’s Fine Arts Academy and those accepted into the program for next school year will transfer to High Pointe Elementary School for the 2023-24 school year.
Remembrance and CeleBRAYtions Planned
There has been no discussion around demolishing Bray, or the potential future uses for the building and land.
- CHISD plans to begin conversations about long term plans for the building and land will begin in early 2024.
- The conversations will involve engagement with city leaders, former Bray students and staff.
The district did everything it could to save Bray, and we regret that it wasn’t enough. Over the next few months, Cedar Hill ISD – in partnership with the Cedar Hill ISD Education Foundation (CHEF) and the City of Cedar Hill – will host a series of events to honor, recognize and celeBRAYte the dear campus.