News Summary
The Norfolk School Board has approved a multi-year closure and consolidation plan to address declining student enrollment and financial issues, with a significant majority vote. This plan will close nine schools over the next decade, aiming to modernize learning environments and improve educational outcomes. Board member Tanya K. Bhasin cast the only dissenting vote, raising concerns about the impact on learning communities and advocating for better community engagement. The board plans to finalize decisions regarding affected schools by February 2026 after gathering public input.
Norfolk – On October 15, 2025, the Norfolk School Board voted overwhelmingly to approve a controversial multi-year closure and consolidation plan that aims to address declining student enrollment and financial challenges within the district. The vote concluded with a 6-1 decision, with board member Tanya K. Bhasin casting the only dissenting vote.
The approved plan is set to take effect in the 2026-27 school year and will extend over the next decade. It encompasses the closure of nine schools, relocations of various educational programs, and new construction initiatives aimed at modernizing learning environments while reducing operational costs. Key elements of the plan include the consolidation of resources and efforts to improve overall educational outcomes for students.
As part of the restructuring, Willoughby and Norview Elementary Schools will shut down in the 2026-27 school year, while Ghent School, Tarrallton Elementary, P.B. Young Sr. Elementary, and Granby Elementary will close the following year. Furthermore, the Southeastern Cooperative Educational Programs Center is slated to close in the 2028-29 school year, followed by Berkley-Campostella and Norfolk Technical Center by 2030 and 2034, respectively.
During the board meeting, Bhasin raised significant concerns regarding the decision-making process surrounding the closures. She highlighted the potential negative impact on multiple learning communities and stressed the importance of focusing on strategies to enhance academic outcomes for students. Bhasin called for additional time to develop more comprehensive transition and communication plans prior to implementing such sweeping changes.
Despite her objections, Bhasin expressed her commitment to support the board’s decisions as they move forward with the approved plan, while emphasizing a need for better community engagement throughout the process. Col. Kenneth Paulson (Ret.) acknowledged similar concerns about the initial lack of community involvement in the decision-making process and noted that the plan’s implementation would take time and include opportunities for modifications.
The School Board will utilize the 2025-26 school year to formulate a division-wide redistricting plan, specifically aimed at addressing issues such as poverty and creating a more conducive learning environment for students. Key decisions regarding the relocation of affected schools are expected to be finalized by February 2026, with public hearings and votes scheduled for March 30, 2026.
The schools affected by the current plan include the Ghent School, Tarrallton Elementary, Willoughby Early Childhood Center, Granby Elementary, P.B. Young Sr. Elementary, Norview Elementary, Berkley-Campostella Early Childhood Center, Southeastern Cooperative Educational Programs Center, and Norfolk Technical Center. In addition to the closures, some programs will be relocated to new facilities. For example, the Ghent School program will move to the Academy of International Studies at Rosemont Middle School, while the Southeastern Cooperative Educational Program will transfer to Chesterfield Elementary School. Students from Willoughby will be reassigned to Oceanair Elementary School, and Lindenwood Elementary will be repurposed into a professional development center.
The decision to create a closure and consolidation plan comes in response to a request from the Norfolk City Council made in March, which urged the School Board to evaluate systemic changes, including the closure of at least ten schools due to significant enrollment declines—cited at around 25% over the past decade. The School Board believes that the implementation of this plan is vital to addressing these challenges while striving to enhance student outcomes across the entire school district.
While the approved consolidation strategy has ignited community discussion and raised concerns regarding its impact, the School Board is eager to move forward with gathering community input and refining the plan as it progresses.
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Additional Resources
- Pilot Online: Norfolk School Board Approves Plan to Close 9 Schools by 2034
- Wikipedia: Norfolk, Virginia
- WTKR: Norfolk School Board Approves Major School Closure Consolidation Plan
- Google Search: Norfolk schools closure
- 13 News Now: Norfolk Schools Face Closures and Rebuilds as Board Approves Plan
- Google Scholar: Norfolk school board closure
- WAVY: Major Plan to Close, Consolidate Public Schools in Norfolk Approved
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Norfolk, Virginia
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