Norfolk, September 4, 2025
News Summary
Norfolk’s School Board has proposed the closure and consolidation of ten schools beginning next year due to declining enrollment. Interim superintendent Dr. James Pohl outlined this initiative in a recent meeting. The proposal includes four draft options aimed at managing school capacity and student population challenges. A special meeting is anticipated for further discussions, with community engagement sessions scheduled for public input. The city council mandates that a minimum of two schools must close annually to address the issue of under-enrolled classrooms.
Norfolk Proposes School Closures and Consolidations Amid Declining Enrollment
Norfolk’s School Board has proposed a plan to close and consolidate ten schools starting next year through 2033 due to falling enrollment numbers. These recommendations were discussed in a recent meeting where interim superintendent Dr. James Pohl emphasized that this is just the start of a significant transition for the district. The board has put forward four draft options, each intending to address the ongoing challenges related to school capacity and declining student population.
Option One recommends the closure of ten school buildings, including Ghent School, Tarrallton Elementary, and Willoughby Early Childhood Center. Options Two and Three suggest alterations in the closure schedules for Jacox, Suburban Park, Lindenwood, and PB Young Elementary Schools, allowing for necessary planning and rebuilding. Option Four proposes an alternative where Ghent School remains open but its students are merged with those from Lindenwood and Monroe Elementary while PB Young students would be transferred to Jacox. All options anticipate the rebuilding of Maury High School, which is expected to begin during this or the next school year.
Enrollment trends show that schools such as Lindenwood and Monroe are experiencing low student populations; during the 2022-2023 school year, Lindenwood had 239 students and Monroe had 293, illustrating a combined enrollment of 532 students with Monroe’s maximum capacity being 563. Amid concerns regarding the potential stress on existing schools, particularly in Option Four, the board has postponed a vote on these plans, with school board member Alfreda Thomas advocating for the creation of an alternative plan. A special meeting is likely to be called next week to further develop the proposals.
The recommended closures come as Norfolk faces a steep decline in enrollment, particularly among elementary-age children, with significant reductions expected by 2025. A preliminary list suggests the closure of several schools, including Oceanair, St. Helena, Monroe Elementary, Lake Taylor High School, and Chesterfield Academy. Moreover, while Maury High School, Suburban Park, and Jacox Elementary are slated to be rebuilt, Sewells Point Elementary is scheduled for renovations. Community engagement sessions have been organized to allow public input on the proposed plans.
The move by the City Council mandates that at least two schools must close each year to eliminate excess capacity, with a deadline for decisions set before the 2026-2027 school year. The overall proposal seeks to address the issue of near-empty classrooms that have plagued the district since 2015. Past reports indicated that the district possesses more schools than necessary, which could have allowed for annual savings of up to $20 million had closures occurred earlier. Additionally, some parents have expressed concerns about operational decisions made without adequate community consultation during the public input sessions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why are schools being proposed for closure in Norfolk?
The Norfolk School Board is addressing declining enrollment among elementary students and aims to reduce excess school capacity as mandated by the City Council.
What are the proposed options for school closures?
Four options were presented, with varying plans for which schools to close and when, including potentially keeping Ghent School open while merging its population with others.
When will decisions regarding these closures be made?
A vote on the proposed plans was postponed, but a special meeting is expected next week to discuss the matter further.
What impact might these closures have on students?
The closures aim to address the challenges of under-enrollment in certain schools, but there are concerns about the potential increased stress on remaining schools.
Are there community engagement opportunities?
Yes, the School Board has planned community engagement sessions to gather public input on the proposed school closures and consolidations.
Key Features of the Proposed Closures
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| Option One | Close ten school buildings, including Ghent School and Tarrallton Elementary. |
| Option Two | Allows gap years for planning rebuilds of Jacox and Suburban Park Elementary Schools. |
| Option Three | Alters the closure schedule for Lindenwood and PB Young Elementary Schools. |
| Option Four | Keeps Ghent School open, merging its population with Lindenwood and Monroe Elementary. |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
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Additional Resources
- WTKR: Norfolk School Leaders Look at Plans for School Closures
- Wikipedia: Norfolk, Virginia
- WAVY: Norfolk School Board Releases List of Proposed School Closures
- Google Search: Norfolk school closures
- 13NewsNow: List of Norfolk Schools Closing
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education in the United States
- Pilot Online: Norfolk School Closure More Time
- Google News: Norfolk school board
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