After a contentious and emotional meeting that lasted for nearly 5 hours, the Caddo Parish School Board voted to close E.B. Williams Stoner Hill Elementary School in Shreveport. The students will be moved to Creswell Elementary. The Superintendent proposed closing the school because of declining enrollment.

Several parents and concerned citizens begged and pleaded with the board to keep the school open and do what’s best for the children. But in the end, that did not happen. Information was also discussed about several other schools in the parish that are also facing enrollment struggles. Data shows there are 16 other schools are now operating at 60% capacity or less. Some board members say it is time to look at a parish wide plan to deal with declining enrollment.

Google Maps
Google Maps
loading...

Superintendent Dr. Lamar Goree promised that all Special Ed students at Stoner Hill will have the same teachers and resources available to them when they are moved from the school.

But many questioned if this plan to close is really "all about the children or is it more about the money?"

The final vote to close Stoner Hill was 6-5.

Here’s how the board members voted:

The motion was made by Barry Rachal and seconded by Dottie Bell.

Yes: Steve Umling, Mary Trammel, Barry F Rachal, Katie McLain, Jessica Yeates and Dottie Bell

No: Terence Vinson, Don W Little, Bonita Douzart, Barbara Smith-Iverson and Christine Tharpe

Not Present at Vote: Jasmine Green

Stoner Hill will close after this current school year wraps up next month.

Dr. Goree did pledge to begin working on a plan to address declining enrollment at several other schools in the parish.

Top 10 High Schools in Louisiana

There are some new schools to make the list.

 

More From 1130 The Tiger