EBR Schools Consider Consolidation Amid Enrollment Decline

BATON ROUGE, La. – East Baton Rouge Parish School System Superintendent Lamont Cole has announced a series of community meetings to discuss the potential consolidation of school facilities due to declining enrollment and aging infrastructure.

With a current capacity designed for 60,000 students but serving only 40,000, the district is exploring ways to optimize resources while ensuring students receive the best possible education. Superintendent Cole emphasized the need for community input as the district evaluates its options.

“Some of our facilities are old, some schools are underperforming, and some buildings are underutilized,” Cole said. “We need to have a conversation with our community about what we want to do next.”

Acknowledging the difficulty of potential closures, Cole stressed the importance of reallocating resources to better serve students. “It’s tough to say, but some schools may close. That’s just the reality of the situation,” he said. “Maintaining underutilized facilities is costly, especially when performance issues are also a factor.”

School Board Member Cliff Lewis echoed these concerns, noting that school performance will play a key role in determining which facilities may be affected. “Realigning and consolidating schools will allow us to better allocate resources to benefit our students, families, and communities,” Lewis stated.

The first of several meetings to engage the community in discussions about the future of the district will take place on Wednesday, March 12, at Magnolia Woods Elementary School at 6 p.m. Parents, educators, and community members are encouraged to attend, ask questions, and provide feedback on the district’s plans.

For more information on the upcoming meetings and the district’s realignment efforts, visit the East Baton Rouge Parish School System website.