Shreveport School News: Caddo Parish Closure Proposals

SHREVEPORT, LA - Big school changes could be on the way for Caddo Parish schools. The leadership team has proposed closing 3 Shreveport area schools as a way to save money and consolidate some schools.

The plan presented the school board would close these 3 elementary schools:

Queensborough

81st Street

Blanchard

The proposal to close Queensborough would happen at the end of this current school year. The students would be moved to J.S. Clark. Children attending Blanchard Elementary would be moved to a Donnie Bickham Middle School which would be expanded to include a new elementary wing. The school is currently a grade 4 through 8 school.

Youngsters at 81st Street ECE would be moved to Atkins Elementary.

The Board also heard a proposal to sell the Queensborough School property to Willis Knighton. The hospital leadership team has expressed an interest in buying the school which is on Catherine Street at Hearne Avenue. It is right across the street from the main hospital site.

81st Street and Blanchard Elementary would be closed at the end of the 2025-2026 school year.

READ MORE: See What Parishes Have the Highest Teacher Pay

Caddo School Board Asked to Sell Some Land in Southeast Shreveport

The Caddo school system purchased 20 acres of property on Norris Ferry Road in 2002 for $300,000. In 2023, the property appraised for $3.6 million dollars. The team is proposing selling this property and use the money for future construction projects.

This plan also says "there's no intent for construction in the southeastern part of town."

A final vote on these proposals is expected at the April 15 school board meeting.