News Summary
The Norfolk School Board has voted to postpone a decision on a contentious school consolidation plan that includes the closure of nine schools. With strong opposition from the community, the board will revisit the vote later this month. Key concerns raised involve the future of several schools and the need for a clear timeline regarding closures. The proposed plan is a response to declining student enrollment and substantial repair needs within the district, highlighting the complex challenges facing the board amid community resistance.
Norfolk, VA — The Norfolk School Board has voted 6-1 to delay a crucial decision on a controversial school consolidation plan that was scheduled for a vote on September 23. The board’s special meeting to revisit the vote is set for September 29 at 5 p.m. Board member Ken Paulson opposed the delay, arguing that the postponement was unnecessary and provided too long a timeline for the community’s concerns to be addressed.
During the recent meeting, over 30 community members shared their concerns, with at least 20 speakers voicing strong opposition to the proposal that includes the closure of nine schools. Many attendees criticized the last-minute nature of the consolidation plan, which was drafted by board members Tanya Bhasin and Jason Inge and introduced just weeks before the scheduled vote on September 10. Key issues raised by the community included the potential repurposing of St. Helena Elementary School and its merger with the Berkley-Campostella Early Childhood Center.
Supporters of Ghent School joined the discussion, advocating for its continued operation, while advocates for Maury High School requested the relocation of the Ghent program to allow for larger athletic fields. The proposed plan also included the controversial notion of replacing Ghent School with a 4,000-seat football stadium. However, this proposal was not approved by the Norfolk City Council in August, which put further pressure on the School Board to find viable solutions.
The backdrop to this push for consolidation is a significant decline in student enrollment in Norfolk schools, which face over $900 million in repair needs. Consultants have flagged $145 million of these needs as urgent. In March, the Norfolk City Council directed the School Board to plan for the closure of at least ten schools in response to the fiscal challenges confronting the school system.
Council member and Granby High School principal Tommy Smigiel emphasized the necessity for the School Board to adopt a plan with a clear timeline regarding impending school closures. He pointed out that the Board’s previous proposal only outlined specific closure dates for two of the nine schools initially targeted for closure, raising concerns about a lack of clarity and direction. Smigiel cautioned that if the School Board does not develop an appropriate plan, the City Council may intervene on how city funding for the school system is allocated.
The original consolidation proposal included plans to repurpose several schools for different educational purposes. For instance, Lake Taylor High School was slated to become a full career and technical education center, while Chesterfield Academy would be converted into a SECEP center. Lindenwood Elementary was planned to be transformed into a professional development center for district staff. Additionally, the Willoughby Early Childhood Center and Berkley-Campostella Early Childhood Center were set to close at the end of the current school year, with more closures anticipated following the completion of a redistricting process scheduled for the 2026-27 school year.
The proposed timeline for closing additional schools included Tarrallton, Granby, P.B. Young, and Norview between the 2027 and 2031 school years. The expectation was set that the remaining schools would close before the 2034 school year, though community resistance has led to uncertainty regarding this timeline and the overall consolidation strategy.
As the board prepares for the special meeting on September 29, the growing vocal opposition from the community indicates significant challenges ahead for the School Board as it navigates these complex and impactful decisions.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Academy at Penguin Hall Closes Its Doors Amidst Financial Crisis
Norfolk School Board Proposes School Consolidation Plan
Wilmington Area High Schools Ranked by U.S. News
Norfolk School Board Proposes School Closures and Consolidations
Philadelphia School Board Addresses SEPTA Cuts and Charter Closures
Norfolk Public Schools Seeks Extension for Controversial Closures
Community Voices Concern Over Norfolk School Closures
Additional Resources
- WTKR: Norfolk School Board Delays Vote on School Consolidation Plan
- Wikipedia: Norfolk, Virginia
- 13 News Now: Norfolk School Board Delays Vote on School Consolidation Plan
- Google Search: Norfolk School Consolidation
- Pilot Online: Norfolk School Board Delays School Closure Vote
- Google Scholar: Norfolk School Consolidation
- WAVY: 9 Norfolk Public Schools to Close Under Draft Plan
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Norfolk
Author: STAFF HERE NEW YORK WRITER
NEW YORK STAFF WRITER The NEW YORK STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERENewYork.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in New York, the five boroughs, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as New York Fashion Week, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, and Tribeca Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce and United Way of New York, plus leading businesses in finance and media that power the local economy such as JPMorgan Chase, Goldman Sachs, and Bloomberg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBuffalo.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into New York's dynamic landscape.
