Bibb County superintendent recommends rezoning, not immediate school closures, after consolidation study

District staff presented findings of a school consolidation exploration and recommended the Bibb County Board of Education pursue a district-wide rezoning and commission an organizational efficiency study rather than move immediately to close schools.

Dr. Lovett, presenting for Instructional Services, told the board the exploration considered enrollment trends, facility condition and costs, and included stakeholder engagement: seven school-based meetings, a district-wide town hall and a steering committee. The team modeled five scenarios — three that consolidate campuses and two that preserve existing buildings while adjusting boundaries or programs — and reviewed impacts on enrollment balance, building utilization, staffing and transportation.

The recommended near-term action is to begin district-wide rezoning to improve building utilization with less disruption than closures, Dr. Lovett said. Staff also recommended issuing a request for proposals in May 2025 for an organizational efficiency study, with a goal of a study report to the board in July or August 2025. The presenter said a planning year…