Norfolk School Board launches committee to help decide which schools to close

Yahoo

07-05-2025

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — A committee charged with coming up with a plan to close and consolidate Norfolk Public Schools' held its first meeting last week.
By the end of June, the group is to submit an 'actionable, city-wide plan' that will allow the district to shift toward having newer and fewer schools.
While the plan to start the School Board's Educational and Facilities Planning Advisory Committee was formed earlier this year, the initiative took on new urgency when Norfolk City Council passed a resolution demanding the district submit a plan by Aug. 1 to close and consolidate 10 schools in five years.
However some school board members don't want the City Council's directive to guide their process.
Norfolk council calls for School Board to close and consolidate 10 schools
'We do need to take action, but it cannot be fast, because we do have children and families and teachers and staff that their livelihoods on the line,' board member Jason Inge said at a recent meeting. 'This will reshape how Norfolk looks moving forward for our future.'
Said School Board member Dr. Adale Martin: 'If we don't come up with 10 because 10 doesn't work for our school district, we'll have that discussion.'
In a webpage discussing the new committee, it's noted that NPS has faced an average annual enrollment decline of more than 400 students.
The roughly 50 schools in the school division can handle a combined capacity of nearly 37,000 students. Enrollment is currently less than 27,000.
'The existing school portfolio was designed for a larger student population in a different era, and modernizing NPS requires a shift toward newer, fewer schools that can provide all students with the enriching, well-resourced educational environments they deserve,' the webpage reads.
The school board appointed 33 members to the committee. Its meeting will have to be public, according to the Virginia Freedom of Information Act.
During its first meeting, the committee was provided the number of vacant seats per school.
Seven schools had more than 300 vacant seats with Ruffner School's 3rd-8th leading the list.
In addition, schools are aging and the current system needs an estimated $906 million in capital needs.
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