News Summary
The Norfolk School Board has approved a plan to close and consolidate several schools in response to declining enrollment and financial issues. The decision, made in a recent board meeting, outlines a gradual implementation starting in the 2026-27 school year, impacting nine schools and modernizing educational facilities across the district. While some board members voiced concerns over community involvement, the district aims to enhance learning environments and allocate resources more effectively.
Norfolk Announces Major School Closure and Consolidation Plan
Norfolk, VA — The Norfolk School Board has approved a comprehensive, multi-year plan to close and consolidate several schools in the city, aiming to address declining enrollment and financial challenges. The decision was made during a meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2025, with a vote of 6–1, signaling a significant change in the district’s approach to managing its educational facilities.
Key Elements of the Plan
The approved plan will be implemented gradually starting with the 2026–27 school year and could extend into the early 2030s. The main objectives are to modernize learning environments, reduce operational costs, and better allocate resources across the district.
Specifically, the plan includes the closure of nine schools: Willoughby Early Childhood Center, Norview Elementary School, Ghent School, Tarrallton Elementary, P.B. Young Sr. Elementary, Granby Elementary, Berkley-Campostella Early Childhood Center, the Southeastern Cooperative Educational Programs Center, and the Norfolk Technical Center.
The closures are slated across several academic years: Willoughby School and Norview Elementary will close in 2026-27. Ghent School, Tarrallton, P.B. Young, and Granby Elementary will close in 2027-28. The Southeastern Cooperative Educational Programs Center is scheduled to close in 2028-29, while Berkley-Campostella will shut down in 2029-30. Norfolk Technical Center is planned for closure by 2033-34.
Replacement and Relocation Plans
To accommodate students displaced by closures, the district will relocate several programs. The Ghent School program will move to the Academy of International Studies at Rosemont Middle School. The Southeastern Cooperative Educational Program will be relocated to Chesterfield Elementary School. Students from Willoughby School will transfer to Oceanair Elementary School. Additionally, Lindenwood Elementary will be converted into a professional development center.
Focus on School Modernization
The district also plans to overhaul key facilities. Rebuilding or renovating efforts are scheduled for Lake Taylor High School, Jacox Elementary School, and possibly one other school. These infrastructure projects aim to improve learning environments and meet contemporary educational standards.
Background and Reasoning
The decision follows a request from the City Council made in March, urging the district to develop a plan for closing at least 10 schools, primarily due to a roughly 25% decrease in student enrollment over the past decade. This decline has exerted financial pressure and led to resource constraints, prompting the district to seek more efficient use of its facilities.
The district’s leadership stated that the plan aims to better serve students by consolidating resources and creating more modern, effective learning spaces. The school board chair emphasized that while the plan seeks to enhance student outcomes, it recognizes that not everyone will be pleased with the changes. The district remains open to future modifications as the implementation proceeds.
Community and Board Member Perspectives
During the board meeting, concerns were raised about the planning process. Board member Tanya K. Bhasin, the sole dissenting vote, expressed worries about the decision-making process, particularly the lack of comprehensive community involvement and insufficient focus on enhancing academic performance. She recommended more time for thorough planning, including boundary adjustments and outreach efforts, before executing school closures.
Another board member, Col. Kenneth Paulson (Ret.), acknowledged that the process could have benefited from improved community engagement and said that future steps should include more input from residents and stakeholders.
Next Steps and Timeline
The district has set a timeline for the upcoming year: public hearings and community meetings will be held through early 2026 to gather input. Final decisions on where students will be reassigned are expected by February 2026, with updated boundary plans in place. A series of votes is scheduled by March 30, 2026, to formally approve the relocations.
As the district moves forward, officials have indicated they are committed to transparency and flexibility, welcoming suggestions and adjustments to ensure a smooth transition for affected students, families, and staff.
Conclusion
The Norfolk School Board’s approval of this multi-year closure and consolidation plan marks a significant shift in how the city manages its educational infrastructure, driven by demographic changes and fiscal realities. While the process has faced some criticism, district leaders affirm that the ultimate goal is to improve student learning and create sustainable, modern educational facilities for Norfolk’s future.
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Additional Resources
- Pilot Online: Norfolk School Board Approves Plan to Close 9 Schools by 2034
- Wikipedia: Norfolk, Virginia
- WTKR: Norfolk School Board Approves Major School Closure Consolidation Plan
- Google Search: Norfolk schools closure
- 13 News Now: Norfolk Schools Face Closures and Rebuilds as Board Approves Plan
- Google Scholar: Norfolk school board closure
- WAVY: Major Plan to Close, Consolidate Public Schools in Norfolk Approved
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Norfolk, Virginia
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