News Summary
The Caddo Parish School Board in Louisiana must revise its hearing process for the closure of Queensborough Elementary School following a judicial ruling. Public comments are now required before any decision.
Shreveport, Louisiana – The Caddo Parish School Board has been ordered to revise its public hearing process regarding the potential closure of Queensborough Elementary School, following a judicial ruling necessitating public comments before a decision is made. The hearing occurred on Tuesday, June 17, where concerns were raised about the board’s adherence to procedures that ensure adequate public engagement in significant decisions.
A judge mandated that the school board must incorporate public feedback during the hearings scheduled for 4:30 p.m. on the same day as a planned vote on the school’s closure. This ruling comes in response to a petition filed by the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), which argued that the school board had not provided adequate opportunity for public comment prior to the vote.
The SPLC contends that the board should separate the public hearing from the vote on the school closure to allow ample time for the board to consider community input. Conversely, the school board cited challenges in arranging meetings on different days during the summer due to the necessity of maintaining a quorum.
At the hearing, parents and community members expressed their dissatisfaction with the handling of the closure process, outlining their concerns regarding its impact on student attendance and the implications for school zoning. Many echoed that the closure would adversely affect their children’s education and accessibility to their current schools.
An initial temporary restraining order had already halted plans for closing Queensborough Elementary. The SPLC alleges that during an April 15 meeting, the school board made an unlawful decision about the school’s closure and the potential sale of the property without proper public discussion, affecting hundreds of predominantly Black families who would need to transfer their children to schools outside of their current zones.
In light of these developments, Lauren Winkler, a senior staff attorney with the SPLC, pointed out that the school board violated its own policies regarding changes in attendance boundaries. The SPLC has requested transparency concerning the closure’s financial ramifications, including the specifics of potential savings from the closure.
The proposed closure of Queensborough is part of a broader initiative by Caddo Parish School leadership aimed at eliminating three Shreveport area schools: Queensborough, Blanchard Elementary, and 81st Street Elementary. The consolidation plan suggests relocating Queensborough students to J.S. Clark Academy, which is slated to accommodate about 275 students for the 2024-2025 school year. Meanwhile, Blanchard students would transition to an expanded Donnie Bickham Middle School, and students from 81st Street would attend Atkins Elementary.
Additionally, the school board has proposed the sale of the Queensborough property to Willis Knighton Health. Historical data reveals that the Caddo Parish School System purchased the 20-acre site for $300,000 in 2002, with its current appraisal valuing it at $3.6 million as of 2023. This proposal underscores a lack of intent for construction in the southeastern part of the town, raising questions about future planning and development.
The Caddo Parish School Board has yet to provide public comments regarding the ongoing litigation concerning the closure process. A final vote on the proposed closures and potential property sales was anticipated at the April 15 school board meeting, emphasizing the urgency of public engagement in the decision-making process.
The developments surrounding Queensborough Elementary School highlight the vital need for community involvement and adherence to proper legal procedures when making decisions that will significantly impact local families and students.
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Additional Resources
- Shreveport Bossier Advocate
- KSLA
- Shreveport Times
- KTBS
- KTAL News
- Wikipedia: Caddo Parish School Board
- Google Search: Caddo Parish School closure
- Google Scholar: Caddo Parish education
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education in the United States
- Google News: Queensborough Elementary
Author: STAFF HERE SHREVEPORT WRITER
The SHREVEPORT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREShreveport.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, 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 Mudbug Madness Festival, Red River Revel Arts Festival, and Independence Bowl. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Shreveport-Bossier Chamber of Commerce and Shreveport Regional Arts Council, plus leading businesses in gaming, healthcare, and energy that power the local economy such as Horseshoe Casino, Ochsner LSU Health, and Atmos Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBatonRouge.com and HERENewOrleans.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
