school closures
Coverage of school closures in the Nexus archive.
- Amid a flood of holiday demands, Collectors weather an online storm
District Collectors face online criticism over rain holiday decisions, stating they rely on weather data and field reports rather than social media pressure. School closures during orange and yellow alerts depend on local assessments, according to officials.
- Local 10 chats with incoming Miami-Dade Schools Superintendent ahead of new school year
Miami-Dade County students return to school on Aug. 13 as incoming Superintendent Rafael Villalobos discusses changes including expanded free meal programs at 121 schools and the closure or repurposing of nine schools due to declining enrollment. Parents are urged to update contact information and apply for meal assistance if eligible.
- Opinion: National Surveys Showed Most Americans Saw Fauci as Dr. No on Reopening Schools
Dr. Anthony Fauci's diaries have sparked renewed debate over his role in pandemic-era school closures. Surveys from 2022, 2023, and 2025 show most Americans and school board members perceived Fauci as supporting prolonged closures, despite his public advocacy for reopening schools in 2020 and 2021. Critics, including Sen. Rand Paul, referenced diary entries about conversations with Mayor Bill de Blasio regarding New York City's 2020 shutdown.
- Flash floods hit Chatroo; schools shut in Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban districts in Jammu and Kashmir
Flash floods in Chatroo caused by persistent rain have led to school closures in Kishtwar, Doda, and Ramban districts of Jammu and Kashmir, disrupting normal life.
- Broward adds arts, technology programs as district prepares for more closures
Broward County Public Schools is expanding arts and technology programs, including 3D printing and virtual reality, as the district addresses declining enrollment and potential school closures. Superintendent Howard Hepburn confirmed the need for closures due to 50,000 vacant seats and budget constraints, while emphasizing efforts to prioritize student opportunities.
- 5 Memphis stories to watch as classes begin
Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) faces a federal court battle over a potential state takeover by Tennessee Republicans, which could lead to a state-appointed oversight board overseeing curriculum, budget, and school closures. A forensic audit identified $53 million in potential wasteful spending, and MSCS has already closed five schools due to underenrollment and repair costs.
- Londoners are leaving in droves
London’s population declined for the first time since the pandemic as over 400,000 residents left the capital to other UK regions. The exodus, driven by 30- to 40-year-olds with children, was attributed to a cost of living crisis, slower pay growth, higher unemployment, and a drop in student enrollments leading to school closures and funding cuts.
- GOP Sen. Bernie Moreno goes off on Fauci: ‘Who the f–k do you think you were?’
Ohio Sen. Bernie Moreno confronted Dr. Anthony Fauci during a Senate hearing, criticizing him over COVID-19 lockdown mandates and school closures. Moreno used strong language, asking, 'Who the f–k do you think you were?'
- Mamdani Appoints More Than a Dozen People to School Oversight Panel
Mayor Zohran Mamdani appointed 13 individuals to New York City’s school board, including environmental advocates and education policy experts, and reappointed three members from former Mayor Eric Adams. The board, which oversees major school decisions, will address issues like AI in classrooms and declining enrollment.
- Mayor Zohran Mamdani names 13 school board members, cementing control of NYC schools
Mayor Zohran Mamdani appointed 13 members to the Panel for Educational Policy, strengthening his control over New York City schools. The board, which influences major decisions like school mergers and AI policy, now includes individuals with diverse backgrounds in education, environmental justice, and public finance.
- Pflugerville ISD seeking $2M in budget reductions
Pflugerville ISD leaders confirm they are not considering additional school closures but need to identify $2 million in budget reductions. The district prioritizes avoiding closures while addressing financial shortfalls.
- Green Signals He May Veto Bill To Add $50M To Rainy Day Fund
Governor Green may veto a bill to add $50 million to the Rainy Day Fund. He also approved the new state budget and announced potential vetoes of measures related to school closures and teacher licensing.
- Oyo govt appeals to striking teachers to reopen schools, approves N8.7bn for learning materials
Oyo State government has appealed to striking teachers to reopen schools, which have been closed for weeks, disrupting academic activities. The government also approved N8.7 billion for learning materials to address the situation.
- Hundreds of schools plan closures ahead of red heat alerts
Hundreds of schools plan closures ahead of red heat alerts as temperatures in Wisley, England reached 34.6°C, marking Scotland and Northern Ireland's hottest days of the year.
- Only 8% of Philly voters say public education is headed in the right direction
A new poll shows only 8% of Philadelphia voters believe public education is on the right track, with most citing concerns about school conditions, leadership engagement, and recent policy decisions like school closures and budget cuts. The survey, conducted by Philly for Great Public Schools and Change Research, found strong support for charter schools and an audit of the school district.
- France issues red alert as heatwave breaks records and death toll mounts
France issued a red alert as a heatwave broke records, with 40 drownings reported since June 18. The extreme heat, without widespread air-conditioning, caused school closures, event cancellations, and rail disruptions.
- This Week in South Florida: Luisa Santos
Miami-Dade schools have more seats than students for the first time in generations, leading to the closure or merger of nine schools. The district attributes declining enrollment to demographic and political shifts, state education policies, and changes in immigration enforcement. School Board Member Luisa Santos sponsored the plan as part of a district downsizing effort and discussed it on 'This Week in South Florida'.
- Revanth Reddy must withdraw his statements regarding school closures: TSEC
TSEC demands Revanth Reddy withdraw his statements on school closures. The organization is urging him to retract the remarks.
- District leaders consider closing 4 Miami-Dade schools
Miami-Dade School Board members are considering closing four schools as part of a proposal to overhaul school boundaries, school choice, and future planning due to declining enrollment and changing demographics. The four schools under review are Lenora Braynon Smith Elementary, Miami Springs Middle, Pine Villa Elementary, and Richmond Heights Middle. The board aims to modernize the decision-making process to increase transparency and family input before finalizing any closures next week.
- Insecurity: Mixed reactions trail closure of schools in Edo
School closures in Edo due to insecurity have sparked mixed reactions, with critics questioning the lack of measures to ensure children's safety and continued education. A quote highlights concerns that closing schools without alternatives fails to address students' academic needs.
- Japanese city captures black bear after multi-day hunt
A Japanese city captured a black bear after a four-day search that led to school closures and involved helicopters, hunters, and police. The incident follows a record 13 bear-related deaths in Japan last year.
- Don’t close schools in Adivasi and rural areas: Telangana Save Education Committee
The Telangana Save Education Committee urges against closing schools in Adivasi and rural areas.
- As schools close nationwide, Black students bear the greatest burden
School closures across the country have a disproportionate effect on Black students and those from low-income communities, according to research. The impact highlights existing educational disparities.
- Are you a Detroit parent looking for a new school? Read these tips on how to make the best choice.
Detroit parents face challenges choosing schools due to closures and a lack of centralized information. The article highlights resources like Chalkbeat Detroit and the Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD) to help navigate options, including charter schools and neighborhood assignments.
- Why switching Philadelphia to an elected school board would be very complicated
Philadelphia Councilmember Isaiah Thomas advocates for replacing the mayor-appointed school board with an elected one, requiring state legislation, voter approval, and power shifts. The proposal follows backlash against 17 school closures and highlights tensions over funding and governance.
- Weakened public health powers raise outbreak risks
Some jurisdictions have weakened their public health authorities in response to criticism of lockdowns, school closures, mask mandates, vaccine requirements, and other COVID-era restrictions.
- Weakened public health powers raise outbreak risks
Some jurisdictions have weakened their public health authorities in response to criticism of lockdowns, school closures, mask mandates, vaccine requirements and other COVID-era restrictions. The article highlights concerns about increased outbreak risks due to these changes.
- Acting CDC director says US Ebola response more justified than COVID measures
Acting Director of the CDC Jay Bhattacharya stated that the Trump administration's response to the Ebola outbreak was more scientifically justified than the measures taken during the COVID-19 pandemic. He criticized lockdowns, school closures, and mask mandates as part of the COVID response.
- Pittsburgh Public Schools board votes to move forward with school closures at the end of June 2027
Pittsburgh Public Schools' board voted 6 to 2 to proceed with a school closure and reconfiguration plan, set to close nine buildings by June 2027. The Future-Ready Plan aims to address declining enrollment and redistribute resources, but faced community opposition and a parent's protest during the vote.
- Memphis leaders decide to keep Ida B. Wells open despite school closure vote in February
Memphis-Shelby County Schools will keep Ida B. Wells Academy open for at least one more year by relocating its students and staff to Norris Achievement Academy, despite a February vote to close the underenrolled school. The decision followed community support and concerns about the school's $6 million facility repair needs, though the district plans to close up to 10 schools by 2028.
- Memphis students are graduating from closing schools. But one beloved program could be revived.
Memphis-Shelby County Schools is closing Ida B. Wells Academy, a K-8 school, due to underenrollment and costs. The district plans to transfer the school's program to Norris Achievement Academy, an alternative school, but uncertainty remains about how students and staff will transition. The final graduation ceremony highlighted both celebration and emotional farewells.
- Billionaire and Republican megadonor is funding scholarships for students at closing Philly schools
Jeffrey Yass, a Republican megadonor, and his wife Janine founded the Yass Prize, which offers scholarships for 500 students at Philadelphia public schools set to close in 2027. The scholarships provide $8,000 annually through high school, allowing enrollment in vetted private schools. Critics argue this initiative promotes privatization and exploits public school challenges.
- Billionaire and Republican megadonor is funding scholarships for students at closing Philly schools
Jeffrey Yass, a Pennsylvania billionaire, is funding scholarships through the Yass Prize for Philadelphia students affected by school closures. The initiative offers $8,000 annual scholarships to 500 students to attend vetted private schools. Critics argue the program diverts students from public schools, which they claim undermines public education funding.
- Anxiety mounts as LAUSD families await word of strike and closed schools Tuesday
Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) families are anxiously awaiting a decision on a potential strike and school closures on Tuesday, April 14. Many are scrambling to arrange child care and access free meals in preparation for a possible walkout.