News Summary
The Norfolk School Board has approved a significant plan to close and consolidate 10 public schools by 2033 in response to declining enrollment. This restructuring is expected to optimize resources and enhance educational quality. The consolidation will take effect starting in 2027, with steps taken to maintain staffing through natural attrition. Community engagement sessions are being held to gather input from stakeholders as the district prepares for these changes.
Norfolk, Virginia – Major School Consolidation Plan Approved Amid Declining Enrollment
The Norfolk School Board has confirmed a plan to close and consolidate 10 public schools in Norfolk by 2033, with a formal vote on the initiative scheduled for Wednesday, September 17. This move aims to address declining student enrollment and optimize the district’s resources, making it one of the most significant school restructuring efforts in Virginia’s history.
Plan Details and Implementation Timeline
The consolidation strategy involves closing one or two schools annually starting from 2027 through 2034. The Norfolk City Council has requested the school district to develop a comprehensive action plan for the closure and merging of 10 schools before the 2026-2027 academic year.
As part of the plan, Lindenwood Elementary may be repurposed into a professional development center.
Impacted Schools and redistricting
While Ghent School was initially not included in the closure discussions, there is a possibility that future redistricting efforts could impact the school. Details regarding specific school closures or consolidations have not yet been finalized, but discussions include closing and rebuilding several facilities, including four schools and restoring others, despite increasing costs.
Financial and Budget Considerations
The consolidation aims to maximize savings that will be reinvested into major capital improvement projects and maintenance for existing educational facilities. This includes work at schools such as Maury High School and Booker T. Washington High School.
The Norfolk City Council allocated approximately $164.2 million to support the school division for the current year, excluding capital project costs. The city’s resolution emphasizes the importance of eliminating unnecessary school buildings to prioritize cost savings and improve the quality of education.
Enrollment Trends and District Size
Since the 2014-2015 school year, district enrollment has decreased from around 32,000 students to approximately 26,000 students currently. Projected enrollment for the upcoming school year is around 24,000 students. An analysis since 2013 shows that Norfolk’s school division has operated between 3 and 17 more schools than necessary based on its student population.
Community Engagement and Responses
A series of community meetings has been held to discuss potential impacts on students and gather input from parents, staff, and neighborhood residents. Concerns raised include the emotional effects of transitioning students and maintaining a sense of community and belonging in new school environments.
Interim Superintendent Dr. James Pohl assured that no contracted staff positions would be eliminated as a direct result of the consolidation. Instead, staffing reductions will occur gradually through natural attrition.
Upcoming Public Engagement and Next Steps
Additional community engagement sessions are scheduled for August 9 to further discuss and refine the consolidation plan. The district emphasizes transparency as it prepares for a significant restructuring that will shape Norfolk’s education landscape for the coming decade.
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HERE Resources
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Philadelphia School District Engages Community on Potential Closures
Norfolk City Council Delays Vote on New Maury High School
Additional Resources
- WAVY News
- Wikipedia: Norfolk, Virginia
- WTKR News
- Google Search: Norfolk School Board closures
- Virginia Mercury
- Google Scholar: Norfolk School closures
- 13 News Now
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Virginia education system
- WTKR News Sunrise Brief
- Google News: Norfolk public schools
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