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Board approves closure and relocation of two elementary schools amid protests and warnings of harm to vulnerable students
Summary
The Jefferson County Board of Education approved closures and a relocation for the 2026–27 year (King Elementary and Zachary Taylor closures; Liberty relocation to Gaines), prompting sustained public comment from principals, teachers, parents, mental-health staff and environmental advocates who warned of harms to students and demanded transition protections.
The Jefferson County Board of Education voted Jan. 20 to close King Elementary and Zachary Taylor Elementary and to relocate Liberty High School to the Gaines building for the 2026–27 school year after hearing hours of public comment raising safety, equity and transparency concerns.
The board motion to approve the closures and relocation was moved and seconded during the action-items portion of the meeting and carried by roll-call/voice tally; several board members opposed or abstained. Board debate before the vote included repeated calls for clear transition plans for affected students and for monitoring to prevent disruption to the most vulnerable children.
What speakers said: Staff, parents and community members warned…
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