August 5, 2025

Norfolk Public Schools Seek Deadline Extension for Closure Plan

News Summary

Norfolk Public Schools officials have requested an extension from the City Council to finalize a school closure plan. The school board seeks to push the deadline from August 1 to September 19 to accommodate more community feedback. Rising concerns from residents highlight the impact on students and neighborhoods, with a preliminary list of ten schools potentially facing closure. The City Council will discuss the request on August 26, while public input sessions are scheduled to gather views on the matter. Norfolk faces declining student enrollment, prompting the need for consolidation strategies.

Norfolk – Norfolk Public Schools officials have formally requested a deadline extension from the City Council to finalize a significant school closure and consolidation plan. The school board is seeking to push the deadline from the original date of August 1 to September 19 to allow for more community input amidst rising concerns from residents.

The request was presented in a letter submitted by Norfolk School Board Chair Sarah Dicalogero and Interim Superintendent James Pohl. The need for community engagement has been highlighted as essential, particularly given the potential impact on students and neighborhoods. The City Council had initially set the August deadline following a resolution passed in March, which outlined potential punitive measures against the school board if they failed to deliver the plan on time.

Over recent months, the school district has been developing a consolidation strategy, which includes a preliminary list of ten schools earmarked for closure. The schools identified for potential closure are:

Ghent School
Tarrallton Elementary School
Willoughby Early Childhood Center
P. B. Young Sr. Elementary School
Lindenwood Elementary School
Granby Elementary School
Berkley Campostella Early Childhood Education Center
Norview Elementary School
The Southeastern Cooperative Educational Programs Center
Norfolk Technical Center

Community response to the proposed closures has been mixed, with several residents expressing criticism during public input sessions. Concerns have focused on the implications of school closures for displaced students and local communities. The involvement of Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander, who has shown support for the extension request, reflects the growing sentiment that further dialogue is necessary before proceeding with the plan.

Due to the City Council’s summer recess, the request for an extension will not be discussed until August 26. Meanwhile, there are discussions regarding a new construction project that involves closing and demolishing Ghent School to build a modern 4,000-seat football stadium as part of the Maury High School reconstruction efforts. The City Council has also postponed a vote on a proposed $214.9 million design and construction agreement for the high school.

Two additional public input sessions are set to take place this Saturday at Norfolk Scope during a Unity in the Community back-to-school event, providing further opportunities for residents to voice their opinions on the school closure plan. The School Board is expected to conduct a final vote on the proposal on September 17.

This request for an extension and the proposed school closures occur against a backdrop of declining student enrollment for Norfolk Public Schools. Projections indicate a reduction in student numbers from 31,176 in 2010 to an estimated 24,459 by 2025, which represents a decline of over 21%. A recent consultant report has suggested that the district is operating three to 17 more schools than is necessary, implying that considerable cost savings—estimated at $20 million annually—could be achieved through such closures.

As the school district prepares to implement its consolidation plan, the goal is to close at least two schools each year until surplus capacity is effectively eliminated. The situation continues to evolve, with many community members eager to ensure that their needs and concerns are at the forefront of any decisions regarding the future of education in Norfolk.

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Norfolk City Council Delays Vote on New Maury High School Plan

Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE BALTIMORE WRITER

BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER The BALTIMORE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBaltimore.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Baltimore, Baltimore County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Baltimore Book Festival, Preakness Stakes, and Artscape. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Baltimore Chamber of Commerce and Visit Baltimore, plus leading businesses in shipping and healthcare that power the local economy such as the Port of Baltimore and Johns Hopkins Medicine. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Maryland's dynamic landscape.

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