Community Outcry Over Closure of Werner Park, Sunset Acres Schools in Shreveport, Louisiana

Shreveport, Louisiana

Community organizers are voicing deep concern over the recent closure of predominantly black schools in Shreveport, Louisiana. The Shreveport Concerned Citizen’s Organization is planning to hold a community meeting on Tuesday to address the closure of Werner Park Elementary and Sunset Acres Elementary.

Closure Due To Poor Grades, Low Enrollment

The Caddo Parish School Board announced last week their decision to close these schools due to failing grades and low enrollments. Students from these schools are set to be relocated to Caddo Heights and Westwood Elementary. However, this decision has received significant backlash from the local community prompting the call for a community meeting.

“All Schools Should Provide Equal Opportunities”

Barbara Norton, president of the Shreveport Concerned Citizen’s Organization, has expressed her steadfast opposition to the closure of these schools. Norton firmly believes that every student should have equal opportunities for education and has called this decision iniquitous. She argues that these closures are a pattern of institutional failings by the board to provide equal education opportunities to all students, regardless of race.

“Every student should have the same opportunities,” Norton said. “They should be taught the same education in order to prepare them to be ready for tomorrow to be our leaders of tomorrow.”

Barbara further observed, “again and again, when I look around the city of Shreveport, all I see is African American schools closing in our communities,” indicating a trend that she, and many other community members, find deeply concerning.

Community Meeting

The community meeting to discuss these closures is scheduled for Tuesday at 5 p.m., at the Winnfield Funeral home. It is an open invite to all citizens who wish to share their views on this pressing matter or uncover ways to resist such decisions. This will be an opportunity for the community to come together, voice their concerns, and seek effective solutions moving forward.