News Summary
The Caddo Parish School Board modifies attendance zones following the controversial closure of Queensborough Elementary, set to merge with J.S. Clark Elementary.
Shreveport, La. – The Caddo Parish School Board has voted to modify attendance zones in response to the controversial closure of Queensborough Elementary, which will merge with J.S. Clark Elementary starting in the 2025-2026 school year. The decision was made during a public hearing held on June 17, 2025, following significant community concern and legal action regarding the school’s closure.
The school board’s decision includes adopting the attendance zone of Queensborough Elementary into that of J.S. Clark Elementary. This change was approved by vote, with a tally of 9-1, where only board member Bonita Douzart opposed the measure. The discussions during the hearing included various concerns raised by parents about the impact of relocating students and the lack of prior public meetings to discuss the closure.
Queensborough Elementary School was announced to be closed at the board meeting on April 15, effective at the end of the 2024-2025 school year. As a result, parents and community members stirred discontent, leading to parents Stevan and Neisha Walpool filing a lawsuit to halt the closure until proper public hearings were conducted, citing CPSB policy requirements for public input.
Judge Michael Pitman had denied a temporary restraining order sought by the Walpools on May 28, 2025, but mandated that a public hearing take place during the June 17 meeting. Despite the required hearings, many parents voiced their concerns about the lack of communication from the school board regarding the changes and how they would affect students’ education and daily routines.
During the hearing, parents expressed trepidation about the imminent transition. Neisha Walpool highlighted her worries about the effects on her kindergarten child and recalled emotional disturbances her older child experienced due to previous school closures. Stevan Walpool also raised concerns about the practicality of transportation as the new school is approximately 1.7 miles from their home, a considerable distance that would hinder his son’s ability to walk to school safely.
Jon Glover, a resident of the Queensborough community, echoed similar frustrations by discussing the inadequate process that led to the closure, which lacked community support and proper informative meetings. Caddo Parish Schools has committed to ensuring affected families receive ongoing communication and transition support in preparation for these changes this fall. However, many families, who previously had easy walking access to Queensborough Elementary, now face logistical challenges as the school year approaches.
In light of the ongoing concerns, the Caddo Parish School Board has proposed to purchase the Queensborough Elementary property from Willis Knighton Health, hinting at a solution for the community after the closure. This proposal comes as part of an effort to address the fallout from the closure and the significant impact on enrolled students and their families.
The necessity for public participation was underscored by a letter from the Southern Poverty Law Center, which reminded the board of their policies requiring public hearings whenever school boundaries are modified. This lapse has become a central issue in the aftermath of the Queensborough closure, as many families and parents felt blindsided by the school’s unilateral decision without adequate community engagement.
As the school district implements these changes, parents and students alike hope for a smoother transition. Community members continue to express their frustration over the school board’s communication strategies and are eager to engage more effectively in future discussions regarding important educational decisions affecting local families.
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Additional Resources
- Shreveport Bossier Advocate: Queensborough Elementary Lawsuit
- KTBS: Queensborough Injunction Denied
- KSLA: Judge Issues Ruling on Public Comment
- Encyclopedia Britannica: School Closure
- KTAL News: Proposal to Close Several Caddo Schools
- Google Search: School Closure Caddo Parish
