The SLPS board will review a proposal Tuesday that could result in the closure of 37 out of 68 schools by fall 2026, according to FOX2Now. If approved, the district could see a majority of its school buildings become vacant, raising questions about neighborhood access to public education.
According to St. Louis Public Radio, iThe proposal to close schools is driven by several factors, including a population decline, falling birth rates, and aging infrastructure that has led to costly repairs. SLPS has also faced challenges following a tornado in May, which displaced up to 2,000 students and caused extensive damage to several schools. The architecture firm Cordogan, Clark & Associates, which contributed to the proposal, estimated the cost to repair and maintain existing buildings at over $1.8 billion, with increasing costs due to tornado damage. Additionally, the district expects to lose about 30% of its student population over the next decade due to migration trends and reduced birth rates.
If approved, the school closures would primarily impact elementary schools, reducing the number from 42 to 15. Middle schools would also face cuts, with five of the 11 potentially closing, although no high schools are currently slated for closure. This plan would be the largest cluster of school closures in St. Louis’s history, and would result in more independent charter schools operating in the city than public schools. The school board is expected to consider the long-term effects of these closures as they make their decision.
