School Closures Impact Multiple Districts

The Lafayette Parish School Board voted 8-1 to close S.J. Montgomery Elementary and repurpose Lafayette Middle School, prompting concerns from local educators about the impact on community and student cohesion. Meanwhile, the Sonoma Valley Unified School District is preparing to vote on closing Adele Harrison Middle School to consolidate students at Altimira Middle School due to declining enrollment, while delaying any potential elementary school closures until 2026-27. In Clay County, the Board of Education's unanimous decision to close Clay County Middle School hinges on securing funding from the School Building Authority and further approval from the West Virginia State Board of Education. Additionally, Codsall Community High School in Staffordshire was closed after the unexpected death of a teacher, with support measures in place for staff and students. In Salem, the School Committee is moving to consolidate middle school grades at Collins Middle School for the next academic year, emphasizing the need for equitable educational opportunities for all students. These changes reflect broader trends in school district optimization and community responses to educational needs.