The 88-year-old James B. Bonham Elementary School is one of 11 that DISD is proposing to close in an effort to save $11.5 million.

Parents and neighbors intend to fight to keep Bonham open and are tying blue ribbons around neighborhood trees in a show of support. A website, savebonham.org, urges the community to contact DISD board members. And a petition is available online.

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Bonham is not just old, it is also a school that performs well.

It is rated Exemplary by the Texas Education Agency, and last year, Bonham received a Blue Ribbon Award from the U.S. Department of Education.

Last October, Bonham first-grade teacher Rogelio Garcia won the $25,000 Milken Award for his leadership in the school’s dual-language program.

DISD is expected to hold public hearings regarding the school closures in December, and they must make a decision in January on which schools to close.