Caddo Parish School Board approves closures and consolidations for multiple elementary schools

The Caddo Parish Public Schools Building, Grounds, and Security Committee convened on April 1, 2025, at 1:00 PM to discuss several key recommendations regarding school closures and property sales. The meeting began with a review of the agenda and a call for questions, which concluded without further inquiries.

The committee proceeded to address its first recommendation concerning Queensborough Elementary. A motion was made to recommend the closure of the school at the end of the 2024-2025 school year, with students being reassigned to J.S. Clark Academy. The property is to be prepared for sale, with proceeds allocated for future instructional facilities. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.

Next, the committee discussed Blanchard Elementary, proposing its closure at the end of the 2025-2026 school year. The plan includes consolidating the school with Donny Bickham Middle School, which will transition to a pre-K through 8 campus. This motion also received a second and was approved.

The third recommendation involved the closure of the 80 First Street Early Childhood Education site at the end of the 2025-2026 school year, with students reassigned to Atkins Elementary. This motion was seconded and passed without opposition.

The final recommendation addressed the Norris Ferry Road property. The committee proposed securing an updated appraisal and advertising the property for sale at its appraised value, with proceeds dedicated to future construction of instructional facilities. A discussion ensued regarding the sale process, with some members expressing concerns about the effectiveness of the bidding process. A substitute motion was introduced to allow for either a bid or listing for the sale, which was seconded and subsequently approved.

The meeting concluded with a motion to adjourn, marking the end of a session focused on significant changes to school operations and property management within the Caddo Parish School District. The committee's recommendations will be forwarded to the Caddo Parish School Board for further consideration.