(The Center Square) — Three schools could be closing in Caddo Parish as school board members proposed specific agenda items in this week’s session.
The three schools would merge with others in the area.
“Anytime we are able to transfer students, we need to ensure that we’re transferring them into a situation that’s going to be better than what they are in,” said Superintendent Keith Burton.
As the parish seeks to save money and consolidate students, three elementary schools could be closing after the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 school years. The Caddo Parish School Board introduced the items in Tuesday’s session.
The three schools the board is proposing to close are Queensborough Elementary, Blanchard Elementary, and Eighty-First Street ECE.
The merges would provide more opportunities for more enrichment, clubs, sports, and many other things the other schools can provide with more students.
When discussing dollar amounts, the savings associated with doing this are between $750,000 and $1 million each year. The saved funds would remain in the general fund dedicated to continue supporting the schools in the parish.
If the closure is approved, Queensborough Elementary will close at the end of this school year. Students currently attending the elementary would be moved to J.S. Clark Academy. According to Burton, there is an interested party in Queensborough Elementary. Now, they are looking at implications for faculty, staff and families.
Blanchard Elementary would close at the end of the 2025-2026 school year. Students from this school would be consolidated with Donnie Bickham Middle School, making the school pre-k through 8th grade. The board also proposed renaming the school Donnie Bickham Elementary Middle School in the event the two schools merge. The merger would take place in the fall of 2026.
Another elementary that may face closure is Eighty-First Street ECE. If closed, it would happen at the end of the 2025-2026 school year. Students would relocate to Atkins Elementary.
All three properties were said to be listed for resale or placed up for bid if closed.
