Hosted by National Center on School Infrastructure
School districts across the U.S. have closed thousands of schools since 2000 due to reduced budget, declining enrollment, and poorly maintained buildings. Too often, vacant properties sit idle or are sold and redeveloped without community input — leaving surrounding communities worse off. What needs to change?
Join NCSI for a conversation exploring how better engagement and decision-making can protect affected communities and ensure school buildings continue to serve the public good. Dr. Ariel Bierbaum, Associate Professor of Urban Studies & Planning at the University of Maryland and co-author of the new book “Schools for Sale: Disinvestment, Dispossession, and School Building Reuse in Philadelphia,” and Shannon Jaxx, Officer of Bond Planning and Construction with Kansas City Public Schools, will share strategies for responsibly managing the reuse of school property.
All stakeholders involved in, or affected by, school closure decisions – including school district leaders, local school board members, city planners, parents, teachers, staff, students, and community members – are encouraged to attend this webinar.