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Superintendent proposes closing Northwest Middle School to free swing space for district modernization; board members voice concern
Summary
Superintendent Strickland recommended closing Northwest Middle School at the Douglas campus at the end of 2024–25 and relocating Andrew Langston Middle School to Douglas so Jefferson High School can be used as swing space. Board members expressed concern about disruption to students and communities; a final plan will return Feb. 27.
Superintendent Lesli Strickland told the Board of Education on Jan. 23 that the district needs additional “swing space” to proceed with phase 3 of its facilities modernization plan and recommended closing Northwest Middle School at the Douglas campus at the end of the 2024–25 school year.
Strickland said the Facilities Modernization Plan (FMP) called for Jefferson High School to serve as swing space during rehabilitation of several buildings, including school No. 9 (Martin Luther King Jr. School), Wilson Magnet High School, Edison East and the Douglas campus. Because Jefferson is currently occupied by Andrew Langston Middle School and Rochester International Academy students, Strickland proposed moving Andrew Langston to the Douglas campus and closing Northwest so Jefferson would be available as swing space beginning summer 2025.
“Student success is at the forefront,” Strickland said during her presentation, noting the district’s operating capacity is 35,936 and current enrollment is about 22,100—roughly 61 percent of capacity. She said the reconfiguration and modernization work aim to reduce unused facility footprint and improve academic outcomes and long‑term financial sustainability.
Strickland recommended the board consider closing Northwest at the end of the 2024–25 school year and said the district planned community outreach in the northwest zone. She said current Andrew Langston 7th graders could finish at the new Andrew Langston at Douglas or remain in zone at Thurgood Marshall Middle School, while current Northwest 7th graders would remain at Douglas; incoming 7th graders would follow existing zone and citywide options.
Board members sharply questioned the plan’s timing and community impact. Commissioner Griffin said the board has “uprooted” students previously and objected to closures and renamings; several commissioners asked for more community engagement and asked the superintendent to prioritize student outcomes in any changes. Commissioner Malloy and others pressed for enrollment‑recruitment strategies to avoid future closures.
Strickland said she and staff will hold meetings with the Northwest community and bring a finalized plan to the Feb. 27 business meeting.
The proposal is a recommendation to the board; the transcript records discussion and questions but the board did not take a final vote on the school‑closure recommendation at this meeting.
