The SLPS board will review a proposal Tuesday that could result in the closure of 37 out of 68 schools by fall 2026, according to FOX2Now. If approved, the district could see a majority of its school buildings become vacant, raising questions about neighborhood access to public education.
According to St. Louis Public Radio, iThe proposal to close schools is driven by several factors, including a population decline, falling birth rates, and aging infrastructure that has led to costly repairs. SLPS has also faced challenges following a tornado in May, which displaced up to 2,000 students and caused extensive damage to several schools. The architecture firm Cordogan, Clark & Associates, which contributed to the proposal, estimated the cost to repair and maintain existing buildings at over $1.8 billion, with increasing costs due to tornado damage. Additionally, the district expects to lose about 30% of its student population over the next decade due to migration trends and reduced birth rates…