News Summary
The Norfolk School Board has proposed closing and consolidating ten school buildings due to a drop in student enrollment. Several options have been discussed, which include closing schools, merging student populations, and rebuilding others. Community engagement sessions are underway to gather public input as the board navigates these changes aimed at addressing the declining enrollment and capacity issues. The deliberation includes plans to close at least two schools each year by 2026-2027, responding to budget objectives and operational efficiency.
Norfolk – The Norfolk School Board has put forward a series of proposals aimed at closing and consolidating ten school buildings in response to a significant decline in student enrollment. During a meeting on Wednesday night, the board reviewed four draft plans detailing the potential relocations and closures, marking the beginning of what interim superintendent Dr. James Pohl described as a major transition for the school district.
The first option proposes closing ten schools from the next academic year until 2033. This list includes Ghent School, Tarrallton Elementary, and Willoughby Early Childhood Center, among others. The second option provides for “gap years,” allowing time to plan the rebuilding of Jacox and Suburban Park Elementary Schools. The third option revises the closure schedule for Lindenwood and PB Young Elementary Schools, while Option Four suggests keeping Ghent School open but merging its student population with those from Lindenwood and Monroe Elementary Schools, transferring PB Young students to Jacox Elementary instead.
All proposed options outline the rebuilding of Maury High School, with construction expected to begin either in the current school year or the next. The board has expressed specific concerns related to the stress these options could place on certain schools, particularly with Option Four, which involves significant student redistribution.
Enrollment figures for the 2022-2023 school year indicate a troubling trend for local schools, with Lindenwood Elementary reporting 239 students and Monroe Elementary reporting 293, leading to a total of 532 students, which is close to their combined capacity of 563. The board is moving cautiously in this process and has postponed voting on the proposals, with school board member Alfreda Thomas advocating for the creation of an alternative plan. A special meeting may be scheduled next week to further discuss the proposed changes.
The consolidation effort is the result of ongoing declines in Norfolk’s enrollment, particularly among elementary-aged students, with projections suggesting a significant drop by 2025. A preliminary list of schools recommended for closure includes five schools proposed for repurposing: Oceanair, St. Helena, Monroe Elementary Schools, Lake Taylor High School, and Chesterfield Academy. Plans for rebuilding include Maury High School, Suburban Park, and Jacox Elementary Schools, while Sewells Point Elementary is designated for renovation.
To comply with directives from the City Council, the Norfolk School Board is mandated to develop a plan that leads to the closure of at least two schools each year until excess capacity is sufficiently eliminated. These decisions must be set in motion before the 2026-2027 school year to meet outlined objectives. This systematic approach follows assessments revealing that the school district has more facilities than necessary, a situation that could have yielded potential savings of approximately $20 million annually if closures had been executed sooner.
Community engagement sessions have been organized to allow for public input on the proposed school closures and consolidations. However, there are mounting concerns from parents and community members regarding operational decisions being made without adequate consultation. These sentiments were expressed during the community input sessions and underscore the need for a more inclusive process as the school board navigates these essential changes for the future of education in Norfolk.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Vermont Commission Advocates for Community Involvement in School Closures
Philadelphia School Board Addresses Transportation Challenges
Top Chicago High Schools Ranked Among Nation’s Best
West Virginia Faces Public School Enrollment Crisis
The Light Academy Faces Closure Threat in Miramar
Garfield Re-2 School District Delays Start of School Year
School Closures in Middle Tennessee Due to Extreme Cold
Palm Beach County Road Closures Due to Train Track Repairs
Norfolk Schools Seek Extension for Closure Plan
Construction Disruptions on Market Street in Old City
Additional Resources
- WTKR: Norfolk School Leaders Look at Plans for School Closures
- Wikipedia: Norfolk, Virginia
- WAVY: Norfolk School Board Releases List of Proposed School Closures
- Google Search: Norfolk school closures
- 13NewsNow: List of Norfolk Schools Closing
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education in the United States
- Pilot Online: Norfolk School Closure More Time
- Google News: Norfolk school board
Author: STAFF HERE MILWAUKEE WRITER
MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
