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The Shocking Closure of Tarrant County College's Beloved Children's Center: Parents Demand Answers!

By Shomial Ahmad, Fort Worth Report
October 11, 2024

In a stunning turn of events, parents of children enrolled at the Tarrant County College (TCC) Children's Center Laboratory School in Hurst were given mere days’ notice of its abrupt closure. The center, which recently celebrated its 50-year anniversary, officially closed its doors on Friday, October 11.

“I walked in to pick my child up on Tuesday, and I was very rudely rushed into an office,” stated Hannah Boyd, a parent of a 3-year-old son at the center. Boyd recounted being called into a meeting with TCC Northeast Campus administrative staff, including Interim President Jan Clayton. “They quickly informed me of the closure and handed me a packet listing nearby daycares, which frustratingly lacked contact numbers,” she added.

Generations of Care and Community

The TCC Children's Center has been a cherished institution for generations, with many parents on waitlists for over a year to secure a spot for their children. Parents have described the center as “incredible” and “a beautifully abnormal little community.”

• Small class sizes: Just over 25 students in classes for 2-, 3-, and 4-year-olds.
• Hands-on experience: The center is linked to TCC’s child development program, providing practical training for students in early childhood education.

Parents, distraught over the sudden decision, organized protests and voiced their concerns at a recent TCC Board of Trustees meeting. Boyd expressed her shock and emotional turmoil upon learning about the closure, stating she felt unprepared and without answers.

Unanswered Questions

Many parents are left grappling with unanswered questions:

• What led to the center's closure?
• Why was the closure so sudden?
• How will parents receive tuition refunds?
• What will happen to the dedicated staff?

Despite reaching out for specific answers, Tarrant County College officials have remained tight-lipped. A spokesperson provided a brief letter from Chancellor Elva LeBlanc, which stated, “Some operations at the center do not align with the standards of respect, care, and professionalism that TCC demands. This is deeply concerning and will be addressed.” However, no further details were given.

The Community Speaks Out

At the recent board meeting, several parents, including Jenny Zhang, expressed their discontent over the decision. Zhang, who mentioned a “recent incident” at the center, urged board members to reconsider the closure. She praised the staff for their integrity, stating, “These individuals should not be punished for doing the right thing.”

State records reveal that the center had two self-reported incidents and one independently reported incident in the past five years, with two high-level deficiencies noted. An incident recorded by TCC police on October 4 has raised further concerns, categorized as “injury to a child/elderly/disabled, reckless bodily injury,” and is currently under investigation.

Boyd expressed her frustration with LeBlanc's response, highlighting the positive experiences families have had at the center. “I took one tour and was beyond impressed by how developmentally appropriate the classes are,” she said, adding that the center’s play-based curriculum has been remarkable for her son’s growth.

Josh Mauldin, whose children attended the center, echoed similar sentiments. “You would think they would at least acknowledge how traumatic this is for everyone involved,” he said, criticizing the lack of transparency from the college.

A Way Forward?

In her letter, LeBlanc outlined a vision to “re-envision our approach to early education,” indicating plans to restructure the laboratory school’s purpose. However, parents remain skeptical and anxious as they seek alternative care for their young children.

At the board meeting