Caddo Parish trustees approve closures and consolidations for three neighborhood schools

The Caddo Parish School Board voted April 15 to approve staff plans to close three neighborhood schools and consolidate their students into nearby campuses.

The board approved a plan to close Queensborough Elementary at the end of the 2024–25 school year; to close Blanchard Elementary at the end of the 2025–26 school year and consolidate it into Donnie Bickham (which the district will convert to a pre-K–8 campus); and to close 80 First Street ECE at the end of the 2025–26 school year and assign those students to Atkins Elementary. The motions were made during the meeting’s business portion and passed after an extended public comment period in which dozens of residents, teachers and community groups urged the board to delay or reconsider the actions.

Why this matters: board members and staff said the moves respond to long-term enrollment declines and funding shortfalls tied to the state funding formula, while opponents said the closures will disrupt children, particularly early‑childhood and special‑needs students, and will harm neighborhood stability. Parents and teachers repeatedly asked for more community meetings, clearer transition plans and assurances that services will follow students.

Board and staff said the closures are part of a broader “right‑sizing” effort. Superintendent Keith Burton framed the proposals as efforts to move students into schools with more certified teachers, intervention supports and enrichment options. Board president Green and several board members said the district must balance educational offerings with shrinking enrollment and budget pressures tied to lost state MFP revenue.

Public commenters said the district should prioritize community engagement and alternatives. John Glover, a resident who spoke during the visitor section, asked for specifics about how students’ academic needs will be met after relocation and said citizens deserve to see the assessments staff used to place students. Teacher Sierra LeRett said, “Our school is a safe haven for young learners of all abilities,” and warned that putting very young children into larger, mixed‑age buildings could cause regression. Parent and community organizer Kimberly Jones said, “When a school closes, it not only directly impacts the children, parents, and families that it serves, it also serves as a loss to an entire community.”

Board discussion and staff assurances: board members pressed staff on transition details — whether certified teachers will follow students, what tutoring and intervention supports will be provided, how long vacant buildings will remain unsold, and how sale proceeds will be used. Staff said the district intends to offer targeted supports at receiving schools, work to preserve certified staff when possible, and list closed properties for sale or bid with proceeds going to a dedicated account for future instructional construction. Staff also noted the district has set aside approximately $40 million for future instructional construction; one widely circulated $60 million figure was called inaccurate by staff.

Construction and timing: when board members asked about the scope and cost of an addition needed to convert Donnie Bickham into a pre‑K–8 campus, district facilities staff estimated roughly $400–$425 per square foot for new construction under current code and said a wing of the size discussed could likely be delivered for under $20 million, though a firm bid and design were not yet complete. Staff said they would not rush construction and offered at least a semester of flexibility to avoid forcing immediate relocations if building schedules slip.

Community response and next steps: speakers representing neighborhood groups, parents, teachers and the union urged the board to delay votes until community meetings were held and transition plans were published. Several speakers said closures disproportionately affect Black neighborhoods in Shreveport and urged district leaders to explore alternatives including redistricting, investment in existing facilities, or expanding magnet curricula to all schools. The board approved the staff motions and instructed staff to coordinate the closures, assignments and property disposition plans, and to return with implementation details.

Votes at a glance

- 8.05 — Queensborough Elementary: Motion to coordinate closure at end of 2024–25 and prepare property for sale (by bid or listing at appraised value) and dedicate proceeds to future instructional construction. Moved by Board member Don Little; seconded by Board member Rochelle. Motion passed; recorded vote count in transcript: yes 8 (vote count shown in meeting minutes as 8).

- 8.06 — Blanchard Elementary: Motion to coordinate closure at end of 2025–26 and consolidate with Donnie Bickham Middle School, converting Donnie Bickham to a pre‑K–8 campus beginning fall 2026. Mover and seconder recorded in the meeting transcript; motion passed (transcript does not specify final vote tally).

- 8.07 — 80 First Street ECE: Motion to coordinate closure at end of 2025–26 with students assigned to Atkins Elementary. Moved by Board member Don Little; seconded by Board member Tharpe. Motion passed; transcript records the motion as passing with 10 votes.

Ending note: board members repeatedly acknowledged the emotional weight of the decisions and the need to work with communities on building reuse and student supports. Staff said they will return with detailed implementation plans and timelines; community leaders asked the district to hold additional, earlier public meetings for directly affected families before finalizing operational details.