News Summary
The St. Louis Public Schools district plans to close 37 schools by fall 2026 due to declining enrollment and damage from a recent tornado. This unprecedented move will reduce the number of open schools from 68 to 31 as the district grapples with a significant drop in student numbers and increasing operational challenges. Community input is being sought during this critical planning phase, highlighting the importance of engagement in shaping educational futures.
St. Louis Faces Largest-Ever School Closures Amid Enrollment Decline and Tornado Damage
The city of St. Louis faces a major shift in its public education landscape as the St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS) district proposes to shut down 37 schools starting in fall 2026, reducing its total to 31 open schools. This plan, which would be the largest cluster of school closures in the city’s history, is set to be officially presented during an upcoming school board meeting and is part of broader efforts to address declining enrollment and recent disaster impacts.
Current Enrollment and Facility Challenges
The SLPS district currently serves approximately 18,122 students across more than 60 schools. However, many of these facilities are underutilized, with some buildings operating at extremely low capacity. Data indicates that the district’s average building capacity rate is among the lowest nationally, meaning many school buildings are largely empty, leading to increased costs and inefficiencies.
Impact of the May 16 Tornado
Adding to the district’s challenges, a powerful tornado struck St. Louis on May 16, causing widespread damage. As a result, seven schools were closed permanently due to the destruction and will not reopen for the upcoming academic year. Among those severely damaged are Ashland Elementary and Soldan International Studies High School. The district plans to relocate students from these schools to Gateway STEM High School.
The tornado’s damage is estimated to have caused over $14.5 million in repairs and rebuilding costs. The disaster has also displaced many students and families, leading to an anticipated enrollment decline of between 800 and 2,000 students over the coming summer months. This displacement and population movement are expected to further strain the district’s planning efforts.
Demographic Changes and Future Enrollment Projections
St. Louis’s population has been shrinking and may fall below 266,000 residents within the next decade, according to forecasts. Projections indicate that student enrollment in SLPS could drop to as low as 12,700 students by 2035, compounding the district’s operational challenges. Falling birth rates nationwide have contributed to declining school enrollments generally, a trend that SLPS is experiencing as well.
District’s Planning and Community Engagement
Superintendent Millicent Borishade is expected to present her recommendations regarding which schools may be closed in the coming months. In preparation, the district has held community meetings titled “Reimagining SLPS” aimed at gathering feedback from stakeholders and ensuring transparency throughout the decision-making process.
Challenges in Staffing and Resources
In addition to physical and demographic challenges, SLPS faces significant hurdles related to staffing. There is a noted difficulty in recruiting and retaining enough certified teachers, counselors, and coaches, which impacts the quality of education and student support services across the district.
Broader Context and Community Response
The proposed school closures and restructuring plans come at a time of considerable disruption for the district and the community. Some local leaders and residents, including former school board president Dorothy Rohde-Collins, have called for delaying the final decisions to allow the community more time to recover from the tornado’s aftermath. They emphasize that making permanent closures immediately after such a traumatic event may not be appropriate.
Technical Assessments and Future Steps
To inform its decisions, SLPS is working with Cordogan, Clark and Associates, an architectural firm conducting analyses on school capacity and enrollment trends. The district aims to develop a sustainable plan that balances declining enrollment with adequate educational facilities and community needs.
Ongoing Community Involvement
As discussions continue, public participation remains vital. The district is emphasizing engagement with parents, educators, and community members to navigate the complexities of school closures while addressing the district’s financial and demographic realities.
In summary, the city of St. Louis is undertaking a significant restructuring of its public school system amidst declining student numbers, recent tornado devastation, and demographic shifts. These efforts reflect a broader challenge facing urban school districts nationwide, where balancing fiscal responsibility, educational quality, and community stability remains a complex and sensitive issue.
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HERE Resources
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Evaluating the Impact of School Closures During COVID-19
Challenges Facing Montana’s Small Rural Schools
Norfolk Delays Decision on Maury High School Project
Philadelphia School District Engages Community on Potential Closures
Norfolk City Council Delays Vote on New Maury High School
Weather-Related Closings and Delays Across the Region
Additional Resources
- St. Louis Today
- Wikipedia: St. Louis Public Schools
- Fox 2 Now
- Google Search: St. Louis Public Schools restructuring
- GovTech
- Google Scholar: St. Louis education system
- Fox 2 Now – Tornado Plans
- Encyclopedia Britannica: St. Louis Public Schools
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