The yearly changes in the population census of a town for four consecutive years are, 
respectively, 25% increase, 25% increase, 25% decrease, 25% decrease. 
The net change over the four years, to the nearest percent, is:
$\textbf{(A)}\ -12 \qquad \textbf{(B)}\ -1 \qquad \textbf{(C)}\ 0 \qquad \textbf{(D)}\ 1\qquad \textbf{(E)}\ 12$
A 25% increase means the new population is $\frac{5}{4}$ of the original population.  A 25% decrease means the new population is $\frac{3}{4}$ of the original population.
Thus, after four years, the population is $1 \cdot \frac{5}{4} \cdot \frac{5}{4} \cdot \frac{3}{4} \cdot \frac{3}{4} = \frac{225}{256}$ times the original population.
Thus, the net change is -12%, so the answer is $\boxed{\textbf{(A)}}$.