School closures
Subject in Education
School closures has come up in 1 episode across 1 podcast in TMT, including The Daily. 2 people have made recorded remarks about it.
What people said
Sarah MervoshEducation reporter at The New York Times
Mervosh notes other districts face similar choices, citing Philadelphia and Austin votes to close schools.
“Philadelphia voted to close schools. Austin voted to close schools. L.A., Portland, they're having these discussions”
The Daily: Public Schools Have a New Crisis: Not Enough Students (Nov 11, 2026) · Listen from 44:52
Mervosh describes school closures as among the most unpopular moves in education and argues they raise questions of which children are prioritized.
“I think closing schools is one of the most unpopular things you can do in education”
The Daily: Public Schools Have a New Crisis: Not Enough Students (Nov 11, 2026) · Listen from 6:32
Gene Walker
Walker acknowledges families might leave either way but argues the risk should not stop a necessary decision, and that quality will bring people back.
“we can't let the threat of people leaving be the reason why we don't make the decision that's necessary”
The Daily: Public Schools Have a New Crisis: Not Enough Students (Nov 11, 2026) · Listen from 43:32
Walker argues consolidating small, expensive schools frees money to redistribute to schools that stay open.
“by consolidating closing buildings, you're able to take that money that you would otherwise spend on that building and redistribute it to schools that are staying open”
The Daily: Public Schools Have a New Crisis: Not Enough Students (Nov 11, 2026) · Listen from 19:18
Podcasts
- The Daily · 1 episode
Episodes
Public Schools Have a New Crisis: Not Enough StudentsThe Daily · Nov 11, 2026 · 48 min
Natalie Kitroeff and education reporter Sarah Mervosh examine shrinking U.S. public school enrollment and Pittsburgh's controversial plan to close schools and end most magnet programs.