A consultant tasked with developing a plan to close and consolidate 10 Norfolk public schools has created a preliminary list of properties to shutter.
In documents obtained by The Virginian-Pilot, engineering consultant Woolpert has developed a list of schools to close. The list, which will be presented at two community engagement meetings Thursday, has been created as the Norfolk City Council has directed the Norfolk School Board to create a plan to close and consolidate 10 schools or risk punitive action.
The preliminary list of schools set for closure include:
Tarrallton Elementary School
Willoughby Early Childhood Center
P. B. Young Sr. Elementary School
Lindenwood Elementary School
Berkley Campostella Early Childhood Education Center
Norview Elementary School
The Southeastern Cooperative Educational Programs Center
The consultant also recommends rebuilding Maury High School, which is already in the works, as well as Suburban Park Elementary School and Jacox Elementary School.
Monroe Elementary School, Oceanair Elementary School, St. Helena Elementary School, Chesterfield Elementary School and Lake Taylor High School would be repurposed under the plan to accommodate students of various closed schools and programs.
Norfolk has experienced a decline in student enrollment for years. Student enrollment has declined by 22% since 2010, from 31,176 students to a projected 24,459 students in 2025, according to a recent City Council resolution.
Norfolk City Council has asked the School Board to create a plan by August to close and consolidate 10 schools or risk restrictions to how it can use city funding.
A media representative for Norfolk Public Schools did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Community engagement meetings about the school closures will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday at Booker T. Washington High School and 5 p.m. at Granby High School.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
Trevor Metcalfe, 757-222-5345, trevor.metcalfe@pilotonline.com