A Big Shift in Special Education

The Missouri State Board of Education has greenlit a plan to close 12 state-run schools dedicated to educating students with severe disabilities. The move comes after careful review and consultation. These closures are set to happen by the end of June 2026 and reflect long-term challenges the system has been facing.

Which Schools Will Close And Why Now

Six schools have already been operating under temporary emergency closures due to staff shortages. Those are Briarwood (Harrisonville), Lakeview Woods (Lee’s Summit), Gateway/Hubert Wheeler (St. Louis), Rolling Meadow (Higginsville), Delmar Cobble (Columbia), and Ozark Hills (Salem). These six need to close immediately.

The other six will follow by the end of the 2025–26 school year as a proactive move. It’s about avoiding future emergency situations. This group includes Citadel (Potosi), College View (Joplin), Crowley Ridge (Dexter), Dogwood Hills (Eldon), Lillian Schaper (Bowling Green), and Prairie View (Marshall).

What’s Driving This Decision

Enrollment has dropped 36% over the past 16 years, from 1,033 to 660 students statewide. That trend is unsustainable. Also, the system currently includes 34 buildings with $50 million in deferred maintenance. That alone says something about future risks.

Independent consultants called the situation untenable. That message resonated. Over two years, a Long-Range Planning Advisory Committee made up of more than 50 stakeholders joined forces with consultants to study the challenge. They proposed shuttering 24 existing sites and building two new ones to serve a leaner network of 12 schools.

What Leadership Had to Say

“Closing these schools isn’t a decision we take lightly,” said Mary Schrag, President of the State Board of Education. “What this really means is more efficient services and better opportunities for students and families.”

Dr. Karla Eslinger, Missouri’s Commissioner of Education, echoed that sentiment. She emphasized that the Advisory Committee kept the students’ best interests front and center. Their work shows that consolidating will lead to stronger support and better outcomes.

A Rare Model Under Review

Missouri remains the only state operating separate day schools for students with severe disabilities. Once common, it has become rare amid a nationwide push for inclusion. Yet, some parents still believe the current model fits their child’s needs best. In fact, a survey found 85 percent of them agreed that these schools meet their children’s needs better than previous placements.

What This Could Mean Going Forward

This decision is the first step toward a transformed system. It aims to reduce wasted infrastructure, improve staffing stability, and ensure consistent monitoring of student progress. Over time, students may benefit from newer facilities, more reliable staffing, and better opportunities to integrate with peers, though thoughtful planning and family support will be essential through the transition.