At its April 15 meeting, the Caddo Parish School Board voted to approve a sweeping facilities realignment plan aimed at better positioning the district for future growth, maximizing resources and expanding academic opportunities for students. The plan, developed by district leadership and reviewed by the Board’s Building, Grounds, and Security Committee, addresses facility needs while ensuring a student-first approach to educational access and support.
The plan includes the closure, consolidation and reinvestment of several district sites:
Queensborough Elementary will close at the end of the 2024-25 school year, with students rezoned to J.S. Clark Academy, a move that aligns with existing middle school attendance zones and provides increased access to enrichment programming and Career and Technical Education (CTE) offerings. The Board also approved the listing of the Queensborough site for sale, with strong interest from the Willis Knighton Health System. The proposed sale would allow a long-standing community partner to expand healthcare access in the area while preventing the facility from sitting vacant.
Blanchard Elementary will be consolidated with Donnie Bickham Middle School at the end of the 2025-26 school year, forming a new PreK-8 campus that supports the educational and developmental continuum for students in north Caddo. The district plans to construct a new PreK-2 wing at the Donnie Bickham site and introduce a school-based health clinic to meet the growing needs of the community. Leaders emphasized the benefits of instructional continuity, expanded academic offerings, and increased operational efficiency for families in this high-growth area.
The 81st Street Early Childhood Center will close at the end of the 2025-26 school year, with students transitioning to nearby Atkins Elementary. The move will help boost enrollment at Atkins and redirect critical resources to support instructional programming. The 81st Street property will be appraised and listed for sale, with proceeds dedicated to a fund for future facility construction.
The district will also move forward with the sale of the Norris Ferry Road property, which has remained undeveloped since its purchase in 2002. An appraisal conducted in 2023 valued the property at over $3.6 million. Funds generated from this sale will also support capital investments in instructional facilities across the parish.
“These recommendations reflect our responsibility to plan for both today’s students and the students to come,” said Superintendent Keith Burton. “By aligning our facilities with enrollment trends, instructional goals and the strength of our community partnerships, we’re creating opportunities that place students at the center of every decision. At the same time, we’re ensuring that our resources are being used wisely and efficiently, in a way that honors the trust of our families and taxpayers across Caddo Parish.”
The Board’s action also clears the path for targeted facility enhancements at several campuses, including exterior and functional upgrades at Walnut Hill Elementary/Middle, Broadmoor STEM Academy and J.S. Clark Academy. These upgrades are designed to improve the student experience and accommodate evolving campus needs.
As part of the approved plan, the district is committed to supporting all staff members affected by these changes. Teachers and staff at the impacted campuses will be offered opportunities to transition to roles at receiving schools or other schools within the district. Human Resources will work closely with principals and employees to ensure smooth transitions, with a priority on retaining talent and maintaining continuity for students. Families affected by these changes will receive ongoing communication and transition support as the district prepares for a phased implementation.