Norfolk, August 5, 2025
News Summary
The Norfolk School Board has requested an extension from the City Council until September 19 to finalize the closure of ten schools in response to community concerns. Chair Sarah Dicalogero and Interim Superintendent James Pohl emphasized the need for more time to gather feedback. The initial deadline was set for August 1, with potential penalties for non-compliance. Community input sessions are ongoing, aimed at addressing the implications of the closures, amidst a significant decline in student enrollment projected over the next few years.
Norfolk – The Norfolk School Board has formally requested an extension from the City Council until September 19 to finalize its plan for the closure and consolidation of ten schools in the district. This request comes in response to substantial community concerns regarding the potential impacts of these closures.
Norfolk School Board Chair Sarah Dicalogero and Interim Superintendent James Pohl submitted a letter to the City Council, highlighting the need for additional time to gather community input and feedback on the proposed school closures. The City Council had previously set a deadline of August 1 for the school board to present a concrete closure plan, following a resolution passed in March. This resolution includes punitive measures that could be imposed on the school board if they fail to meet the deadline.
The consolidation strategy, which has been in development for several months, includes a preliminary list of ten schools identified for closure. The schools earmarked in the proposal include Ghent School, Tarrallton Elementary School, Willoughby Early Childhood Center, P. B. Young Sr. Elementary School, Lindenwood Elementary School, Granby Elementary School, Berkley Campostella Early Childhood Education Center, Norview Elementary School, The Southeastern Cooperative Educational Programs Center, and Norfolk Technical Center.
As part of the community engagement process, Norfolk Public Schools has organized public input sessions, where numerous community members voiced their concerns regarding the effects of the closures on students and local neighborhoods. Support for delaying the decision has been expressed by Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander, who backs further community engagement.
The City Council is scheduled to discuss the request for an extension during a meeting on August 26, following the summer recess. Additionally, plans are in the works to close and demolish Ghent School and construct a new 4,000-seat football stadium as part of the renovation of Maury High School. However, a vote on the $214.9 million design and construction agreement for Maury High School has been postponed by the City Council.
To ensure community feedback continues to flow, two additional public input sessions are planned to take place on Saturday at Norfolk Scope during a Unity in the Community back-to-school event. The School Board aims to hold a final vote on the school closure plan on September 17.
The backdrop to these closures is a significant decline in student enrollment within the Norfolk school district. Projections indicate a decrease in enrollment from 31,176 students in 2010 to an estimated 24,459 by 2025, equating to a drop of over 21%. Analysis from a consulting report reveals that the district operates three to 17 more schools than necessary and could potentially save $20 million annually by closing excess facilities. Community sentiment is mixed, with some advocating strongly for the needs of their neighborhoods to guide the decision-making process.
Implementation of the consolidation plan is set to begin before the 2026-2027 school year, with a goal of closing at least two schools each year until the surplus facilities are reduced.
FAQs
Why is the Norfolk School Board requesting an extension for the school closure plan?
The Norfolk School Board is seeking more time to gather community input and address concerns regarding the impact of school closures on students and neighborhoods.
What schools are included in the proposed closure list?
The list includes Ghent School, Tarrallton Elementary School, Willoughby Early Childhood Center, P. B. Young Sr. Elementary School, Lindenwood Elementary School, Granby Elementary School, Berkley Campostella Early Childhood Education Center, Norview Elementary School, The Southeastern Cooperative Educational Programs Center, and Norfolk Technical Center.
What is the deadline for the final vote on the school closure plan?
The final vote on the school closure plan is scheduled for September 17.
What are the demographic changes affecting the school district?
Student enrollment is projected to decline from 31,176 in 2010 to about 24,459 by 2025, representing a drop of more than 21%.
Key Features of the School Closure Plan
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Requested Extension | Norfolk School Board requests an extension to September 19 for finalizing school closures. |
| Initial Deadline | The original deadline set by the City Council was August 1. |
| Number of Schools Proposed for Closure | A total of 10 schools. |
| Community Engagement | Public input sessions are being held to gather community feedback on the proposed closures. |
| Projected Enrollment Decline | Student enrollment projected to drop from 31,176 to 24,459 by 2025. |
| Implementation Timeline | Consolidation plan to begin before the 2026-2027 school year. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
School Closures and Delays in Middle Tennessee
Norfolk Faces Backlash Over Proposed School Closures
Additional Resources
- Pilot Online: Norfolk School Closure Update
- Wikipedia: Norfolk, Virginia
- 13 News Now: List of Norfolk Schools Closing
- Google Search: Norfolk Schools Closure
- WAVY: Norfolk School Board Proposed Closures
- Google Scholar: Norfolk School Closures
- Virginia Mercury: Norfolk School Board Action Plan
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Public Education
- WTKR: Norfolk Schools Closure Plan Unveiled
- Google News: Norfolk Public Schools
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