What happens when schools close to save money? Across the country, districts are facing declining enrollment, aging infrastructure and budget shortfalls. Their response? A growing trend known as “rightsizing”—the process of closing or consolidating schools to balance district resources.
But a new policy brief from the Center for Public Education & Community Engagement at TCU asks a critical question: Who carries the cost when schools close their doors?
The brief, School District Rightsizing, examines the often-overlooked educational, emotional and community impacts of school closures, highlighting the urgent need for equity-minded, data-informed decision-making.
Why now?
Between 2021 and 2022, more than 750 public schools across the United States were
closed. While school leaders often cite financial necessity, rightsizing decisions
can reshape entire communities—especially those already facing systemic inequities.
The brief outlines how closures affect students, families and educators, with ripple effects that include:
- Declines in student achievement and school engagement
- Displacement of students and community disconnection
- Modest or uncertain long-term cost savings
What’s the real cost of school closures?
The scholarship underscores that rightsizing is not a neutral or purely financial
decision. In many cases, it deepens educational disparities and places the burden
of budget adjustments on the most vulnerable students.
Among the key questions explored:
- Do closures improve academic outcomes?
- Are districts achieving their financial goals?
- How are community voices included in the process?
The answers are nuanced—and highlight the need for transparency, trust and collaboration.
Recommendations for Responsible Rightsizing
The brief presents a framework for school districts to approach rightsizing in a more
equitable and community-centered way:
- Define success beyond financial savings
Districts should articulate clear goals that include academic outcomes, school climate and student well-being—not just cost per square foot. - Engage communities early and often
Transparency is key. When families and educators feel blindsided or excluded, trust erodes. Districts should hold listening sessions and include parent, student and teacher perspectives from the start. - Use data to drive—but not dominate—decisions
Student demographics, achievement trends and neighborhood shifts should inform decisions, but not dictate them. Social and cultural impacts must also be considered. - Assess impacts and adapt
Rightsizing should not be treated as a one-time action but as an ongoing process. Districts must assess the outcomes and be willing to adjust based on what’s working—and what’s not.
From Policy to Practice
Whether you're a district leader, policymaker, educator or advocate, What Is Rightsizing? offers essential insights for making school closure decisions that prioritize student
equity, community voice and long-term success.
Recommended Citation
Andrews Institute for Research in Mathematics & Science Education, Alice Neeley Special
Education Research & Service Institute, Center for Public Education & Community Engagement.
May 2025. School District Rightsizing Brief. Education in Action.
About TCU Center for Public Education & Community Engagement (CPECE)
Recognizing education as a civil and human right, CPECE addresses issues that impact
students, educators, schools and communities. The center is involved in various initiatives,
strengthening public education by building partnerships and promoting research.