Temporary restraining order filed against Caddo Parish School Board for school closure
A Caddo Parish student and his parents have joined forces with the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) to file a petition to seek a temporary restraining order against the Caddo Parish School Board.
"With a temporary restraining order, the community has an opportunity to challenge the school board’s unilateral decision to ensure hundreds of students aren’t displaced next year," said Lauren Winkler, Senior Staff Attorney, SPLC.
The Caddo Parish School Board on January 10, 2023.
On Tuesday, April 15, the Caddo Parish School Board approved the plan to close and consolidate Queensborough Elementary School.
Willis Knighton Health made a purchase proposal for Queensborough Elementary School, at 2701 Catherine St. This school had an enrollment of close to 275 students for the 2024-2025 school year.
Caddo Parish School Board decided that it would consolidate Queensborough Elementary School with J.S. Clark Academy. According to prior reporting the school district said, this will increase enrollment at J.S. Clark.
According to SPLC, Caddo Parish School Board unlawfully voted to close Queensborough Elementary School and list the property for sale by failing to hold public hearings to obtain input from the community before the school board voted.
SPLC said this action directly harms hundreds of Black families by forcing students to attend schools outside of their current attendance zones.
The petition further argues that Caddo Parish School Board violated its own policy on student attendance boundaries by failing to provide proper notice or allow Queensborough Elementary School families to participate in public hearings regarding the proposed changes.
Winkler said, "It is clear that the Caddo Parish School Board is not following its own policies when it comes to changing attendance boundaries in the district. Such actions by the school board exclude families’ voices from the decision-making process."
Caddo Parish School Board said the district will not speak on any pending litigation.
Makenzie Boucher is a reporter with the Shreveport Times. Contact her at [email protected].
