Caddo School Board Votes to Close Three Schools

Two weeks ago, we reported that the Caddo School Board was considering closing three schools. Now, following a vote, it is official.

COVID-19 has no doubt changed the landscape of not only our country, but also our Shreveport-Bossier area. We've seen countless businesses close permanently amid our pandemic on the local level, but not many of us expected to see schools close as well.

That's exactly what was pitched a couple of weeks ago, however, at a budget meeting with the Caddo School Board. Now, following a 9-3 vote, three campuses will close effective immediately. The three schools closing will Jack P. Timmons Elementary, Arthur Circle Elementary and Mooretown Elementary.

The vote also established Broadmoor STEM Academy, which will be the home for students from Arhtur Circle, and take over the former Broadmoor Middle School campus.

Per the release, "Mooretown students will attend Oak Park Elementary while Jack P. Timmons students will attend schools closer to their homes including Blanchard Elementary, Donnie Bickham Middle, Walnut Hill Elementary/Middle and Turner Elementary/Middle.

There is good news here, and that news is that no staff member from the three schools will lose their jobs, according to the press release. It reads, "No staff will lose their jobs in the transition and staff where possible will follow their students or have the opportunity to apply for vacant positions in the district."

While we hate to see any announcement or decision made that will alter Shreveport residents' way of life, we hope that this necessary budgetary change works out for our children in the long run, and that this upcoming school year is their best yet.