Caddo Parish committee backs appraisals, closures and sales; recommends student reassignments

A Caddo Parish School Board committee on April 1 recommended moving forward with appraisals, listings and closures for several district properties and proposed reassigning affected students to nearby campuses.

Superintendent Burton presented a portfolio of facility recommendations and said the proposals are “opportunities” for the district to manage declining enrollment and concentrate resources. The committee voted to seek an appraisal and prepare Queensborough Elementary for sale, to close Blanchard Elementary and consolidate those students into Donny Bickham (to convert it to a pre‑K–8), to close the 80 First Street Early Childhood Center and assign those students to Atkins Elementary, and to obtain an updated appraisal and list or bid the Norris Ferry Road property with proceeds dedicated to a fund for future instructional construction.

Why it matters: The motions would change attendance and facility patterns across multiple neighborhoods, shift special‑program students to different campuses and convert district real estate into capital for future school construction. Several board members and community speakers pressed for clarity on timelines, student placements and staff impacts.

Key proposals and discussion

Queensborough Elementary: Superintendent Burton said Willis‑Knighton Health System has expressed interest in purchasing Queensborough. Burton described how rezoning Queensborough students to the newly named J.S. Clark K–8 Academy would align feeder patterns into Booker T. High School and raise enrollment at J.S. Clark. Board member Miss Thorpe recused herself from the Queensborough discussion, saying she works for Willis‑Knighton. Jeff Fielder, president and CEO of Willis‑Knighton, told the committee the health system has expansion needs nearby and indicated strong interest in acquiring the site. Laurel Brightwell, listing agent with U.L. Coleman, reported that other district property sales (Barrett) have a $55,000 nonrefundable deposit on file and that Northside Elementary remains in due diligence.

Blanchard Elementary / Donny Bickham: Burton proposed closing Blanchard at the end of the 2025–26 school year and consolidating students into Donny Bickham, which would convert from a grade 4–8 campus into a pre‑K–8 campus beginning fall 2026. Staff said the district plans a new pre‑K–2 wing at Donny Bickham and estimates an initial consolidated enrollment of about 1,160 students on day one and a longer‑term capacity near 1,450.

80 First Street Early Childhood Center: Staff recommended closing the specialized early‑childhood center at the end of the 2025–26 school year and assigning those students to Atkins Elementary, about two miles away. Committee members pressed for assurances that specialized services and staff placements would be protected during any transition; Burton said the district will take up to 12 months to market the building and to plan a careful move so programs and students are not rushed.

Norris Ferry Road property: Committee members reviewed the property’s purchase and appraisal history. Staff said the district purchased the 20‑acre site in 2002 for $300,000. Appraisals cited in the presentation put value at roughly $460,000 (2014), $910,000 (2020) and about $3,665,000 (November 2023); staff estimated current market value between $3.6 million and $5 million. The committee approved a motion to secure an updated appraisal and to advertise the property for sale either by listing or by bid, with proceeds dedicated to an account for future instructional construction.

Community and staff concerns: Public commenters requested transparency on timelines and staff/teacher placements. John Glover asked for clearer communication with voters; Bernard Friday (representing Red River United) urged the district to involve stakeholders and to clarify how teacher assignments and positions will be handled. Board members repeatedly asked staff to clarify projected savings and the timeline for relocations. Staff said average annual savings from closing an average‑size school historically range roughly from $750,000 to $1,000,000, although precise figures require site‑by‑site accounting.

Facility upgrades: Burton also outlined campus enhancement work under consideration, including additional space and cosmetic/functional renovations at Walnut Hill (reported enrollment ~1,485), Broadmoor KH STEM Academy, and improvements to the auxiliary gym and school‑based health clinic at J.S. Clark. Staff said they will explore expanding exam rooms at the J.S. Clark clinic in partnership with David Raines Community Health organization and evaluate establishing a school‑based health clinic on the Donny Bickham campus as part of the expansion.

Votes at a glance

- Queensborough Elementary: Motion (moved by Mister Rochelle; seconded by Mister Mehl) to coordinate closure plans at the end of the 2024–25 school year, zone students to J.S. Clark Academy, obtain an appraisal and prepare the property for sale; proceeds to be dedicated to future instructional construction. Outcome: approved by the committee (motion carries).

- Blanchard Elementary / Donny Bickham: Motion (moved by Mister Rochelle; seconded) to close Blanchard at the end of the 2025–26 school year and consolidate students into Donny Bickham, converting it to pre‑K–8 beginning fall 2026. Outcome: approved by the committee (motion carries).

- 80 First Street Early Childhood Center: Motion (moved by Mister Rochelle; seconded by Mister Tharp) to close 80 First Street at the end of the 2025–26 school year and assign students to Atkins Elementary. Outcome: approved by the committee (motion carries).

- Norris Ferry Road property: Motion (moved by Mister Rochelle; seconded by Miss Trammell) to secure an updated appraisal and advertise the property for sale (bid or listing) at appraised value; proceeds dedicated to future instructional construction. Outcome: approved by the committee (motion carries). An amendment to allow listing or bid was adopted prior to the vote.

What’s next: Each recommendation will move to the executive committee and then to the full Caddo Parish School Board for final action. Staff repeatedly said appraisals, due diligence and formal listings or bid processes must occur before any sale closes, and that implementation depends on market interest and further board approvals.

Ending: Committee members and the superintendent emphasized careful transition planning for affected students and staff and said proceeds from any property sales would be reserved for future instructional construction needs in the district.