Superintendent on possible Caddo Parish school closures

CADDO PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – The superintendent of Caddo Parish schools addresses the proposal to close several elementary schools.

The proposal facing the school board would close Blanchard Elementary, Queenborough, and Eighty-First Street ECE. Superintendent Keith Burton said these campuses have lower enrollment with high building maintenance costs. Willis-Knighton has submitted a bid to buy the Queeborough campus, while Blanchard Elementary and Eighty-First Street’s buildings would close until a buyer is found. Burton said the school district plans to work with the communities to get input on what residents would like to see the buildings become.

“One of the things we are trying to emphasize is we value the history and the legacy of those buildings. We have to look not only to the past, but we’ve got to look forward. To be able to work together to think about what is the best possible environment for these students in five years, or ten years from now,” Burton said.

Teachers would be transferred along with the students or fill open positions throughout the district.

Queensborough students would transfer to JS Clark Academy. Blanchard students would transfer to Donnie Bickham Middle School, which would become a K through 8th grade campus with an additional wing for K-2nd grade. Eighty-First Street students would transfer to Atkins Elementary.

The decision is up to the school board, which will vote during its meeting on April 15. The meeting begins at 4:30 p.m. at the board’s headquarters, 1961 Midway Avenue in Shreveport.`

You can catch more from Superintendent Burton’s interview on Monday, April 7, on Fox 33 at 9 p.m. and NBC 6 at 10 p.m.