It's a weird feeling, walking past a building that used to be full of noise and finding it totally silent. If you live in Columbus, Cleveland, or even smaller spots like Chardon, you've probably seen it lately. A school that was the "heart of the neighborhood" suddenly has a chain on the gate. Honestly, it’s gut-wrenching for parents. But if you look at the numbers, closing schools in Ohio isn't just a random streak of bad luck; it’s a math problem that’s been brewing for twenty years.
We’re talking about a massive shift in how kids in the Buckeye State get educated. Basically, the state is dealing with a "perfect storm." Birth rates are down. Vouchers are everywhere. And frankly, some of these old buildings are just falling apart.
The Numbers Nobody Wants to Hear
Let’s get real about why this is happening. In Cleveland, the Metropolitan School District (CMSD) is looking at a $150 million hole they need to plug by 2028. CEO Warren Morgan has been pretty blunt about it: they have too many seats and not enough kids to fill them. Think about this—CMSD has room for 50,000 students, but only about 34,000 show up.
That is a lot of empty desks.
It costs a fortune to heat, cool, and staff a building that’s only half full. When you’re spending more on the roof than on the reading programs, something eventually has to give.
Why Columbus is the Hot Spot Right Now
Columbus City Schools (CCS) is in the thick of it. Just this past December, the board voted to shut down several schools, including:
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- Fairwood Alternative Elementary (closing by May 2026)
- Como Elementary
- Duxberry Park Arts Impact Elementary
- Everett Middle School (which houses the Gifted Academy)
People are furious. You might have seen the videos of kids at community meetings holding signs that said, "I am not a number." It’s emotional. But the district is staring at a $50 million shortfall. They’re trying to consolidate so they can actually afford to keep the lights on in the buildings that stay open.
The "Voucher" Elephant in the Room
You can't talk about closing schools in Ohio without talking about EdChoice. This is where things get controversial. Ohio recently made private school vouchers "universal." That means almost any family can get state money to help pay for private tuition.
Public school advocates, like the folks at Policy Matters Ohio, argue this is "siphoning" money away. They point out that in the 2023-2024 school year, the state gave out 69,000 new vouchers, but private school enrollment only grew by about 3,700 kids.
What does that mean? It means most of that money went to families whose kids were already in private school.
The state is now projected to spend over $1.25 billion on these programs by 2027. If you’re a public school superintendent, watching a billion dollars head toward private institutions while you’re deciding which elementary school to bulldoze... well, it’s a tough pill to swallow.
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The Aging Population Factor
It’s not just about kids leaving for private schools. In many parts of Ohio, there just aren't as many kids, period. Take the Forest Hills School District or Chardon Schools. They’re seeing a "gradual decline" because people are staying in their homes long after their kids have grown up.
It’s an aging state.
Current projections show that the population of Ohioans aged 0-18 will drop by over 4% by 2029. In some specific age groups, like kids aged 5-9, the drop is closer to 8%. You can't run a school if the neighborhood doesn't have toddlers.
Toledo’s "Radical" Plan
Toledo Public Schools (TPS) is trying something different to avoid a total collapse. They’re looking at a four-day school week.
Seriously.
They want to run Tuesday through Friday with longer days. They think it’ll save money on buses, food, and utilities while helping with teacher burnout. It's a bold move, and it shows just how desperate districts are to keep their doors open in some capacity.
What Most People Get Wrong
A common myth is that if more kids moved back, the schools would instantly be rich again. Not exactly. Many districts are on what’s called a "guarantee." This means the state gives them a set amount of money regardless of small enrollment shifts.
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As Chardon's Superintendent Michael Hanlon pointed out, his district could gain 500 students tomorrow and they wouldn’t get an extra dime from the state. They’d just have more kids to feed and teach with the same amount of cash. It’s a rigged game in a lot of ways.
The Real Impact on Your Neighborhood
When a school closes, it’s not just about the commute.
- Property Values: A vacant school building often drags down nearby home prices.
- Safety: Empty buildings can become magnets for trouble if they aren't repurposed quickly.
- Community: For many, the school was the only place neighbors actually met face-to-face.
What You Should Actually Do Now
If your local district is talking about "facilities master plans" or "utilization studies," pay attention. That’s usually code for "we’re thinking about closing something."
- Show up to the Task Force meetings. In Columbus, community pushback actually reduced the number of planned closures. Your voice isn't shouting into a void; it actually changes the "scenarios" the board considers.
- Check the 5-year forecast. Every Ohio district has to publish one. If you see a "deficit spent" line growing every year, start asking questions about the building plan now, not when the moving trucks show up.
- Look into "Community Hub" models. Some districts are keeping buildings open by renting space to health clinics or non-profits. It keeps the building alive and helps pay the bills.
The reality is that closing schools in Ohio is going to continue through 2026 and 2027. The state is changing, and the "neighborhood school" model from 1950 just doesn't fit the birth rates of 2026. It’s a painful transition, but being informed is the only way to make sure your kids don't get lost in the shuffle.
The best thing you can do right now is get a copy of your district's most recent enrollment projection report. It’ll tell you exactly how many "empty seats" are in your backyard before the school board mentions them in a public meeting.