Is your neighborhood school a candidate for future closure? Chalkbeat reporter Laura Faith Kebede analyzed recent closings in the Shelby County School District. Here's what 25 schools have in common with other recent shutdowns.
Kebede says that the 25 schools on Chalkbeat's list all have three similarities:
- Test scores are so low that that the state could require a costly overhaul of staff and teachers.
- Under-enrollment. While several recent closures were of schools that were less than half full, the school board previously closed one school that was 71 percent full.
- The schools require more than $1 million in maintenance.
At this time, 25 schools in a district of 186 schools meet these criteria. Superintendent Dorsey Hopson says the district is now studying how it would save money by reducing its footprint. The results will be announced this fall.
For the complete list of schools, read thecomprehensive story at Chalkbeat TN.
