Shreveport Schools to Undergo Significant Changes

Categories: Blanchard, LACommunityEvents/What's HappeningNews

Proposed enhancements for Shreveport's educational facilities.

News Summary

The Caddo Parish School Board has proposed the closure of three schools in Shreveport, aiming to save costs and enhance the educational experience for students. Schools like Queensborough Elementary and Blanchard Elementary face closure, with students transitioning to nearby academies. The board is also considering selling properties to fund future educational projects, aiming for community improvement through modernization and consolidation.

Shreveport Schools Set for Big Changes: Closures and Consolidations on the Table

The Caddo Parish School Board is making some bold moves to ensure that students in the Shreveport area are provided with the best educational experience possible. Recently, the leadership team proposed the closure of three schools, aimed at saving money and consolidating facilities that will ultimately transform and modernize the educational landscape for kids in the community.

Schools in the Crosshairs

Among the schools facing closure are Queensborough Elementary, Blanchard Elementary, and the 81st Street Early Childhood Education Center. This proposed action isn’t taken lightly, and it’s important to understand how it will impact the local community and the students.

The plan is set in motion for Queensborough Elementary to close at the end of this school year, with students being transitioned over to J.S. Clark Academy. This is a great opportunity for the kids to continue their education in a vibrant learning environment. Meanwhile, Blanchard Elementary is scheduled to close at the end of the 2025-2026 school year. Students from Blanchard will move to an expanded Donnie Bickham Middle School, which will soon have an additional elementary wing. This consolidation means that Donnie Bickham will cater to grades PreK-8, creating a more cohesive educational experience from the early years onward.

As for the littlest learners, those at 81st Street Early Childhood Education Center will find themselves at Atkins Elementary starting in the 2026-2027 school year, boosting enrollment at Atkins which is quite exciting.

What’s Happening with the Properties?

In an interesting twist, the Caddo School Board is also looking to sell the Queensborough School property to Willis Knighton Health System, which has shown interest in acquiring the land, conveniently located right across from its main hospital site. Interestingly, the property was purchased for only $300,000 in 2002 and has since skyrocketed in value, now appraised at a whopping $3.6 million in 2023.

The funds from this potential sale are intended to be used for future construction projects within the school system. So, while these closures may feel daunting initially, there’s a bigger picture at play aimed at enhancing educational facilities.

Enhancing Other Schools Too!

But that’s not all—the committee isn’t just stopping with closures. Discussions have also revolved around campus enhancements at Walnut Hill Elementary/Middle, Broadmoor STEM Academy, and J.S. Clark J-8 Academy. These upgrades come in response to increased enrollment in these popular schools, showing a proactive approach to meet the demand.

Interestingly, the proposal doesn’t seem to include any construction plans for the southeastern part of Shreveport. This raises questions about how educational opportunities will be expanded to all parts of the city.

Final Decisions Coming Up!

Mark your calendars because the final vote on all these proposals will take place at the Caddo Parish School Board meeting scheduled for April 15. Superintendent Keith Burton has been clear that there is a pressing need to align facilities with current enrollment trends and educational goals to open new doors of opportunity for students.

The goal of these changes is to use resources efficiently and responsibly, ensuring that every child in Caddo Parish has access to the best possible educational environment. While the closure of these schools may cause immediate concerns among families, the long-term vision aims to benefit the students and the community as a whole, paving the way for a brighter future in education.