Closing Comments

American School & University focuses on design and construction of schools, so it stands to reason that we view new education facilities as a positive: Newly built schools are able to incorporate the most up-to-date education trends and design strategies to provide improved teaching and learning environments. They generate excitement and a sense of pride among students and staff.

In many cases, new schools also are a sign that an area is growing and that community members recognize the value of education by supporting spending on facilities. Billions of dollars are spent each year addressing the need for newly constructed or renovated K-12 and higher education facilities.

While many schools and universities are dealing with the challenges as well as the benefits that come with growth, others are coping with the realities of declining student numbers and half-empty buildings. Instead of excitement over new facilities, constituents are filled with sadness and anger that their beloved schools may be taken from them.

The general trend of declining enrollment in many parts of the country, exacerbated in some cases by students who left public schools because of the Covid-19 pandemic and never returned, has left many school systems without the money needed to keep all of their campuses operating.

Within the last few months, the San Antonio school board voted to close 15 of its schools. The Seattle district has said it may have to close 20 elementary schools. A task force in the Columbus (Ohio) district is looking at shuttering 20 of its campuses. An assessment of facilities in the St. Louis district indicated that about 26 of its 68 schools have fewer than 200 students and a large number would have to close. The San Francisco district has said it will have to close an undetermined number of its more than 100 schools

Shrinking student numbers also have affected higher education. Several small colleges—Wells College in New York, Notre Dame College in Ohio, Goddard College in Vermont, Birmingham-Southern College in Alabama, to name a few—have been forced to close this year.

For those who have to decide whether to close schools, it’s understandable that they might seek to delay or avoid taking such a step—who wants to be the bad guy delivering such news? But putting off the pain will only make it more painful when the inevitable has to be done.