It finally happened. After months of whispering around town and speculation at the grocery store, the Carroll ISD Board of Trustees made the call. They voted on Monday night, January 12, 2026, to close Don T. Durham Intermediate School.
If you live here, you know how big this is. Durham isn't just a building; it's where the "intermediate" experience—that unique Southlake bridge between elementary and middle school—has lived for years. But the numbers don't lie. The district has lost about 855 students lately, which translates to a massive $8 million hole in state funding.
The plan is to shut the doors by August 2027. Basically, 5th graders will stay at their elementary campuses, and 6th graders will head off to the middle schools. It's a logistical jigsaw puzzle that the administration says will save $1.3 million a year.
Honestly, it's a lot to process.
The $25 Million Land Deal and "Right-Sizing"
During the meeting, Board President Cameron Bryan dropped a detail that had everyone leaning in. The district plans to sell the 30-acre Durham property. They’re estimating it could fetch between $20 million and $25 million.
💡 You might also like: Air Pollution Index Delhi: What Most People Get Wrong
Instead of just blowing that cash, the plan is to stick it into a high-yield account. The interest alone—estimated at $1.25 million annually—would basically act as a permanent endowment for the district. It’s a smart move on paper, but for families who have deep emotional ties to Durham, the "right-sizing" of the district feels heavy.
One thing that’s super important to clarify: your elementary attendance zones aren't changing. Superintendent Jeremy Glenn was pretty firm on that. The goal is to keep things as stable as possible while the district adapts to this new reality of declining enrollment.
Southlake’s $36 Million Face-Lift
While the schools are consolidating, the City of Southlake is actually leaning into growth. At the January 6 City Council meeting, City Manager Alison Ortowski and CFO Sharen Jackson laid out a $36.7 million plan for capital projects this year.
It’s not all "sexy" stuff like new parks, though there is some of that. A lot of it is the "invisible" work that keeps a city from falling apart. We're talking:
📖 Related: Why Trump's West Point Speech Still Matters Years Later
- Widening Brumlow Avenue (thank goodness).
- Drainage improvements on Morgan Road and North Peytonville.
- Repainting two of those massive elevated water tanks.
- Turf conversion at North Park.
They’re also looking at land acquisition, specifically the Old Dragon Stadium site. The city is trying to pay for as much of this as possible with cash—about $17.1 million of it—while paying off $6 million in old debt. It's a balancing act that most cities can't pull off, but Southlake isn't most cities.
The Real Estate Reality Check
If you've been watching the Zillow alerts for news in Southlake TX lately, you’ve probably noticed things feel... different. The days of houses selling in 48 hours with twenty offers are mostly gone.
The median home value is sitting around $1.65 million right now. But here’s the kicker: about 44% of sellers have had to drop their prices recently.
It’s a "quality over quantity" market. In the first week of January, we only saw 11 new listings. People are still buying, but they’re being incredibly picky. If a house isn't staged perfectly or priced exactly right, it sits. The average time on market has stretched out to about 65 days.
👉 See also: Johnny Somali AI Deepfake: What Really Happened in South Korea
What’s Coming to Town Square and Beyond?
Business news is a bit of a mixed bag. We know RA Sushi is out, and Hudson House is moving in at 1131 East Southlake Boulevard. They’re aiming for a summer 2026 opening. If you’re a fan of those "world’s coldest martinis" or fresh oysters, that’s going to be a major win for the local dining scene.
There is also a massive 40-acre project called Shiver’s Farm in the works. Trademark Property Co. is looking to bring in over 100,000 square feet of retail, restaurants, and potentially a new grocery store. It’s still in the planning stages, but it shows that despite the school enrollment dip, developers still see Southlake as the place to be.
Roadblocks and Repairs
Just a heads-up for your morning commute: Public Works is busy.
Crews are currently working on an asphalt repair on East Continental Boulevard near the 1900-1950 block. They’ve had flaggers out there from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
Also, watch out for Shady Oaks Drive. A water main leak near the 2000 block has been causing some headaches, with temporary closures between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM while they patch things up. It’s annoying, but better than a sinkhole, right?
Actionable Steps for Southlake Residents
- Check the New School Boundaries: If you have kids in the CISD system, start looking at the 2027-2028 transition plans. Even though it's a year away, the "feeder patterns" for 6th grade are going to shift.
- Review the Comprehensive Plan: The City is currently updating its utility master plans for water and wastewater. They’re asking for resident feedback—this is your chance to complain about water pressure or drainage before the budget is locked in.
- Audit Your Property Value: If you’re thinking of selling, don’t price based on 2022 numbers. Look at the recent "closed" sales, not just the "active" listings, because the gap between asking price and sale price is widening.
- Register to Vote: The deadline for the March 3 Primary Election is February 2, 2026. If you want a say in how the state handles the funding formulas that are currently hurting local schools, that's where it starts.
Southlake is in a weird spot of transition. We’re seeing school closures and infrastructure booms happening at the exact same time. It’s a lot to keep track of, but staying informed is the only way to make sure the "Southlake Way" actually stays the way it's supposed to be.