LA VILLA, Texas — Schools are closed in a one-stoplight South Texas town after the city shut off their water amid a dispute over the bill.

The city of La Villa shut off water and sewer service to the La Villa Independent School District in December, shortly after students started their holiday break. The city had increased a water surcharge and the school district has refused to pay the higher rate.

The district’s about 625 students were supposed to return to classes Monday, but instead found this message on the school district’s website: “All La Villa I.S.D. schools will be closed until further notice.”

Students raising pigs at the district farm just behind the baseball field had to find new homes for their projects. The boys and girls basketball teams have had their home games converted to away games until the dispute is resolved. They beg court time for practices from other area districts. Seniors fret over whether they might be forced to finish out their final year in another district.

“It’s a really sad situation knowing they can’t come to terms,” said Angie Reyna, who on Monday coaxed her daughter Amanda, a senior in La Villa, into coming to work at a relative’s drive-thru convenience store in Elsa on Monday.

Maxine Elizondo had three grandsons to look after Monday instead of just the youngest. Their parents both work, so Elizondo was thankful she’s retired and can help out.

“Some parents may not be as fortunate,” Elizondo said, while the oldest boy, a 5th grader, rode his bike in lazy circles in the street. She said the quibbling adults are acting like children.

“I think it’s sad because to me I don’t think they’re thinking about the children,” Elizondo said.