School closures are accelerating in US, but more financial pain lies ahead
Summary
U.S. school closures rose as districts respond to falling enrollment and tighter education funding. In Vallejo, California, closures and budget cuts have disrupted students and families, while research cited in the report finds that closures often bring less savings than districts expect.Key Facts
- A total of 1,156 schools closed during the last academic year, the highest number since the pandemic, according to an analysis of federal data by Stanford University's Big Local News.
- Public school enrollment fell by more than 1.4 million students, or about 3%, between fall 2019 and 2024, according to an Associated Press analysis of federal data.
- The report says enrollment has fallen faster than the number of schools, suggesting closures have not kept pace with enrollment declines.
- Vallejo City Unified School District serves about half as many students as it did two decades ago and has closed five campuses since 2025.
- Vallejo's district faces a $36 million deficit and has considered cutting up to a third of its staff positions.
- Research cited in the report says transportation, severance pay and security costs can reduce savings from school closures.
- Some Vallejo families have considered homeschooling or moving, while Penny Núñez-Brandão started fifth grade at a new school after her previous campus closed.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
