News Summary
The Norfolk School Board has proposed a consolidation plan to close ten public schools by 2033 due to declining student enrollment. A formal vote is scheduled soon, with plans to gradually close one or two schools each year. The initiative aims to optimize resources and reinvest savings into existing school facilities. Community input has been sought to address concerns about emotional impacts on students and staff roles. This move could represent one of the largest public school closures in Virginia’s history as the district faces a significant drop in student numbers.
Norfolk, Virginia — The Norfolk School Board has unveiled a consolidation plan that aims to close and consolidate ten public schools by the year 2033. This decision follows a significant decrease in student enrollment across the district, prompting the board to take action to optimize the use of school facilities.
A formal vote on the plan is scheduled for Wednesday, September 17. During a recent meeting, the board discussed a tentative plan that would involve the closure of nine schools, with the possibility of repurposing Lindenwood Elementary as a professional development center. Although not included in the initial closure discussions, Ghent School could be impacted by future redistricting.
The Norfolk School Board intends to implement the closures gradually, planning to close one or two schools each year from 2027 to 2034. This strategy comes in response to the Norfolk City Council’s request for the school board to develop an action plan for closing and consolidating schools prior to the 2026-2027 school year.
The consolidation plan aims to reinvest the savings generated from school closures into crucial capital improvement and maintenance projects for existing school facilities, particularly Maury and Booker T. Washington High Schools. Currently, Norfolk City Public Schools has an enrollment of approximately 26,000 students, a significant drop from around 32,000 students during the 2014-2015 school year. Projections indicate a further decline, with enrollment expected to fall to about 24,000 in the coming school year.
The Norfolk City Council has supported this plan by contributing $164.2 million to the school division for the current school year. This funding does not cover capital project costs, emphasizing the council’s resolution that aims to eliminate unneeded buildings to prioritize financial savings and the quality of education.
Currently, Norfolk City Public Schools operates five high schools, six middle schools, and 30 elementary schools. An analysis conducted since 2013 revealed that the school division has been operating between three to 17 more schools than necessary based on the current population. The planned consolidation could be one of the most significant public school closure actions in Virginia’s history.
Despite rising costs, including an increase in the rebuilding budget for Maury High School from $150 million to $250 million, the city plans to consolidate four schools and rebuild four others. To address potential effects on students, a community meeting was held to gather input from parents and staff, focusing on concerns regarding emotional impacts and the importance of maintaining a sense of belonging for students.
Interim Superintendent Dr. James Pohl has reassured the community that no contracted staff positions will be reduced as a result of the consolidation efforts, with staffing assessments set to occur gradually through natural attrition. Additional community engagement sessions are scheduled for August 9, offering further opportunities for input regarding the consolidation plan.
As Norfolk Public Schools moves forward with the proposed changes, the focus remains on maximizing resources while ensuring that student education and emotional well-being are prioritized during this transition. The upcoming vote by the school board will be a pivotal moment in shaping the future of the school district and the quality of education it provides.
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Additional Resources
- WAVY News
- Wikipedia: Norfolk, Virginia
- WTKR News
- Google Search: Norfolk School Board closures
- Virginia Mercury
- Google Scholar: Norfolk School closures
- 13 News Now
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Virginia education system
- WTKR News Sunrise Brief
- Google News: Norfolk public schools
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