School Closures

Florida school districts are discussing closing and consolidating traditional public schools, often citing declining enrollment, budget constraints, or restructuring. These closures disrupt students’ routines, fracture community ties, and disproportionately impact families with the fewest alternatives. Traditional public schools aren’t just classrooms; they’re community hubs that provide meals, counseling, after-school support, and stability that can’t easily be replaced.

While charter school growth and choice policies have accelerated, closures of neighborhood schools frequently reduce options for students whose families cannot relocate or afford alternatives, widening gaps in equitable access to quality education. Public funding that once supported a stable, community-based school can shrink when students are pushed into scattered options or long bus rides. Critics of current policy note that closures sometimes occur alongside expansions of charter operations, raising concerns that decisions aren’t always centered on community needs or long-term educational equity. 

If you are in a school district or a school where consolidations or closures are being considered, we would like to hear from you. You don’t have to face this challenge alone; we are here to provide support.