Caddo Parish School Board approves closures and consolidations of several schools

The Caddo Parish School Board convened on April 1, 2025, at 4:30 PM to discuss several key agenda items, including school closures and a special election outcome. The meeting began with a review of the agenda, which included a student expulsion appeal hearing and various recommendations from the Building and Grounds Committee.

One significant item was the consideration of a resolution to canvass the returns and declare the results of a special election held on March 29, 2025. This election aimed to authorize the renewal of special taxes within the parish-wide school district.

The committee presented multiple recommendations regarding school closures. The first recommendation, labeled as item 8.5, proposed the closure of Queensborough Elementary at the end of the 2024-2025 school year. Students from Queensborough would be reassigned to J.S. Clark Academy, and the property would be prepared for sale at its appraised value, with proceeds allocated for future construction of institutional facilities.

Following this, item 8.6 addressed the closure of Blanchard Elementary at the end of the 2025-2026 school year, with plans to consolidate it with Donnie Bickham Middle School, which will transition to a pre-K through 8 campus starting in the fall of 2026. Item 8.7 involved the closure of 80 First Street ECE at the end of the 2025-2026 school year, with students assigned to Atkins Elementary.

Additionally, item 8.8 sought approval to secure an updated appraisal of the Norris Ferry property and to advertise it for sale, with proceeds also dedicated to future construction projects.

During discussions, board members emphasized the need for clarity in the wording of the recommendations, particularly regarding the sale process for the Queensborough property, suggesting it could either be listed or put out for bid.

The meeting concluded with a proposal to rename Donnie Bickham Middle School to Donnie Bickham Bridal Elementary Middle School, reflecting the upcoming changes in the school's structure.

Overall, the meeting addressed critical decisions impacting the future of several schools in the district, with a focus on consolidating resources and planning for future educational facilities. The board will continue to evaluate these recommendations in upcoming sessions.