(The Center Square) — A bid for the recently closed Queensborough Elementary is on the Caddo Parish School Board agenda, totaling $1.3 million.
Back in mid-April, the school board rigorously discussed the closure of three Caddo schools — Queensborough Elementary, Blanchard Elementary and Eighty-First Street ECE. The closure prompted an emotional response from teachers, students and concerned citizens.
Now, the school board plans to hear a bid from Willis Knighton Health of Shreveport for $1.3 million for the closed school. According to the bid, the staff recommends approval.
The school board voted in favor of closing the three schools despite public concern. By closing the schools, the school board calculated it could potentially generate annual savings of $750,000 to $1 million.
Reports from The Center Square showed eight voted in support of the closures, while three voted against and one abstained. Students who attended Queensborough were moved to J.S. Clark Academy for the start of this school year.
In a previous school board meeting, President Jasmine Green spoke about the closures.
“I do understand that change can be hard. When I first got on the board, we had 42,000 children in Caddo. We’re down to 33,000. That’s a lot of students. That’s a lot of money. You can’t continue to run a school system and have 150 kids.”
However, many citizens did not agree.
“The decision to close Queensborough is corrupt and profit-driven,” said Omari Hussein from the All Street All People community organization during a school board meeting.
Willis Knighton Health, a nonprofit health organization, consists of four acute care hospitals, eight fast care facilities, a rehabilitation facility and many other offices throughout the Shreveport-Bossier area. According to the company, they have over 7,000 employees and are considered the largest nongovernmental employer in the Northwest region.
The bid does not share what Willis Knighton Health will use the location for if acquired.
The school board will vote to accept or deny the bid on Aug. 19 during the regular session meeting.
