News Summary
The St. Louis Public Schools district is proposing to close 37 out of 68 schools due to declining enrollment and financial issues exacerbated by tornado damage. Enrollment has diminished significantly, leading to concerns about maintaining under-utilized facilities. Community leaders express concerns regarding the impact of these closures, especially on historically Black neighborhoods, amid broader national trends of declining public school enrollment. The district aims to save funds while navigating the challenges posed by recent disasters and financial constraints.
St. Louis – The St. Louis Public Schools (SLPS) district is facing a challenging situation, proposing the closure of over half of its schools due to falling enrollment rates, financial constraints, and recent tornado damage. The district’s board discussed the potential closure of 37 out of 68 schools, including primarily elementary and middle schools, as enrollment has plummeted and is projected to continue declining.
Current enrollment numbers have drastically decreased, dropping from approximately 115,543 students in 1967 to just 18,122 students last year. This significant decline reflects a broader trend within the district, affected by factors such as a falling birthrate, increased competition from private education options, and a movement toward school choice. A district-commissioned report highlighted that SLPS operates more than double the number of schools necessary for its current number of students.
Recent studies have shown that nationally, public school enrollment has fallen by 20% or more at approximately 1 in 12 public schools between 2019 and 2023. This issue is not isolated to St. Louis, as projections indicate a further national enrollment decline of 5.5% between 2022 and 2031 due to changing demographics and socio-economic factors.
Financial strains are compounded by the end of federal funding provided to schools during the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving districts struggling to cope with budget deficits. In a historic context, the school closure proposal arises amidst a backdrop where Chicago experienced the largest school closure in U.S. history in 2013, which reportedly led to increased incidents of violence and bullying among displaced students.
The dire situation in St. Louis was intensified by a recent tornado that caused an estimated $63 million in damages and disrupted the education of approximately 3,000 students. Following this natural disaster, the school board has further evaluated the need for closures, with seven schools already slated not to open this fall.
Financial Justifications and Projections
A report commissioned by the district found that maintaining under-utilized schools is financially unviable, suggesting that school closures could free up essential funds for necessary improvements. It is estimated that closing the proposed 37 schools could save the district around $42 million in the 2026-27 school year, in line with an anticipated 30% decline in student enrollment over the next decade. The average age of the district’s schools is around 79 years, with expected maintenance costs reaching approximately $1.8 billion over the next 20 years.
Community Concerns and Impact
Residents, particularly in historically Black neighborhoods, are voicing concerns about the possible implications of school closures on their communities. The closure of schools often leads to feelings of instability and disruption among families, and the psychological effects on displaced students can be considerable. Community leaders and the local teachers’ union have stressed the need to prioritize the immediate needs of families affected by the tornado over discussions about future school closures. A coalition once worked to save Sumner High School by implementing changes to its arts curriculum, reflecting ongoing community efforts to preserve educational resources.
The current proposals for school closures have sparked discussion at local school board meetings, highlighting the immediate challenges facing families and the critical need for support during this period of transition. As the St. Louis Public Schools district navigates this complex landscape, the ramifications of these proposed closures will be closely examined by the community and its stakeholders.
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Additional Resources
- ABC News: Enrollment Falls as Districts Mull School Closures
- K-12 Dive: St. Louis Public Schools Propose School Closures
- Times Daily: Districts Across the US Considering School Closures
- Nashua Telegraph: School Closures Considered as Enrollment Falls
- Clinton Herald: Nationwide School Closure Discussions Amid Enrollment Declines
- Wikipedia: School Closure
- Google Search: School Closures in the US
- Google Scholar: School Closures Impact
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Closures
- Google News: School Closures
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