HISD investigates photos posted from inside 12 closed campuses
Houston ISD said it is investigating after a social media account posted photos that appear to have been taken inside closed campuses. HISD closed 12 schools at the end of the 2025-2026 school year as part of a consolidation push, and the district called the unauthorized entry into the closed facilities trespassing and illegal.
Single source. Only one outlet has reported this so far. This label comes off on its own when a second, independent outlet confirms it. Until then it is also listed in The Spin Bin.
- When it happened
- Investigation underway as of October 26, 2026
- Where
- Houston, including Nathaniel Q. Henderson Elementary School in the Fifth Ward, Fleming Middle School, and Franklin Elementary School
- First reported by an outlet
- Oct 26, 2026 at 6:41 pm
- Reported by
- 1 outlet so far (not yet confirmed)
Taxes & money
None stated in sources.
Who's involved
- Marcus Curry · Resident living near Fleming Middle School[1]
The facts
- HISD closed 12 schools at the end of the 2025-2026 school year as part of a consolidation push. [1][1]
- A social media account posted photos claiming to be from inside shuttered HISD buildings, including Nathaniel Q. Henderson Elementary School, Fleming Middle School, and Franklin Elementary School. [1][1]
- Signs around the perimeter of at least one closed school warn that the property is under surveillance, and all entrances are padlocked. [1][1]
- HISD stated that unauthorized entry into closed facilities is illegal and can be dangerous, and expressed concern about social media content that may encourage trespassing, vandalism, or other illegal activity. [1][1]
- The Harris County District Attorney's office said that unauthorized entry into a closed HISD building without other crimes like vandalism or theft could result in a criminal trespassing charge, punishable by a fine or up to a year in jail. [1][1]
- HISD would not give details on how it is protecting the closed campuses or how many incidents of unauthorized entry have been reported. [1][1]
Who said what
- Marcus Curry, resident near Fleming Middle School Since the school closed earlier in 2026, he hasn't noticed obvious signs of people trying to get in, but he is worried the social media posts could encourage others to try and get inside and damage the building.[1]
- Unnamed resident near Franklin Elementary School She has seen district police patrol around the campus but is not surprised to hear about potential unauthorized entry because it is abandoned and the lights are still on.[1]
- HISD It continues to evaluate the closed properties as part of its long-term planning.[1]
Sources
- News Center HISD investigating after social media account claims photos were taken inside closed schools ABC13 Houston · Oct 26, 2026
Written by AI from the sources above, under fixed rules: every fact is cited, claims are kept apart from facts, and dollar figures appear only when a source states them. Mistakes get corrected in public.