Closing schools
The most complex work superintendents will ever lead. We’ve done it—at scale, under pressure, with care.
At Planfully, we believe successful school closure and consolidation isn’t just about numbers on a spreadsheet—it’s about leading through every phase of the process with clarity, intention, and care.
Our approach is rooted in three key stages: before the recommendation, during the recommendation, and after the recommendation. Each phase requires something different from leadership, and we prepare you for all of it.
Our strategy.
Before the recommendation, we focus on alignment, strategy, and structure. That means getting your leadership team and board on the same page, grounding your work in data, and building the foundation you’ll need to lead with confidence.
During the recommendation, we help you lead with conviction and compassion. This is when you’ll need patience, resilience, and the discipline to communicate clearly while navigating public pressure and emotional responses.
After the recommendation, the focus shifts to responsive action. Supporting students, families, and staff through transition. Preparing schools for a strong start. And continuing to lead—because the decision may be final, but the real work is just beginning.
We don’t just guide you through this—we stand beside you, helping you plan for what’s ahead, respond to what’s unfolding, and stay focused on what matters most: a better, stronger future for students.
Planfully can add to your district’s capacity on the following:
Leadership Alignment & Cabinet Strategy Sessions: Unify your executive team around the purpose, process, and message.
Board Preparation & Governance Support: Ensure board members are equipped to govern through complexity, including policy review and role clarity.
Guiding Principles & Decision-Making Frameworks: Establish the values and criteria that will guide every choice and help explain every outcome.
Recommendation Framing & Announcement Planning: Craft and sequence the rollout of the recommendation with clarity, care, and strategic foresight.
Internal & External Communication Support: Develop messaging and talking points that keep your leadership, staff, and community informed and aligned.
Community Engagement Design: Advise on public structures and engagement opportunities.
Board Vote Preparation & Scenario Planning: Anticipate questions, pressure points, and potential responses—so you’re never caught off guard.
Family & Staff Transition Support Strategies: Design enrollment supports, personalized communication plans, and staff hiring strategies.
Cross-School Coordination Planning: Support receiving and closing schools in working together on academic readiness, culture-building, and logistics.
First Day Readiness & Implementation Advising: Ensure everything from transportation to classroom culture is thoughtfully planned and timed.
School consolidation playbook.
Closing or merging schools is one of the hardest things a district can do. It impacts students, families, and staff—and carries real emotional weight. But when it’s handled with care and clarity, it can also create better learning opportunities and a stronger foundation for the future.
This isn’t just about making a tough decision. It’s about managing the change in a way that honors your values, supports your people, and earns public trust.
Thinking about getting started? Here are the core areas of work every district must take on to do this well:
Start with a Clear, United Vision
Before you do anything else, get aligned. Your leadership team and board must be on the same page about why change is needed and how you’ll approach it. Set guiding principles that will shape every decision going forward.
Strengthen Your Governance Foundation
Clear governance matters. That means having board policies that support this kind of decision-making—and agreed-upon processes within those policies.
Build Understanding and Transparency
Use clear data—on enrollment, staffing, building capacity, and student needs—to show the full picture. Help your community understand the why, not just the what, behind your decisions.
Engage the Community with Respect and Honesty
This is personal work. People need space to ask questions, share concerns, and process what the change means for them. Communication must be clear, compassionate, and two-way.
Support Families Through the Transition
Families need time and support to make decisions. That means ensuring access to enrollment options, giving personal guidance, and communicating directly with care and consistency.
Support Staff with Clarity and Care
Change affects your workforce. Give impacted educators and support staff early information about their options and access to new opportunities. Be timely and supportive.
Plan Across Schools, Not in Silos
Closing and receiving schools need to plan together. That includes sharing information, thinking through student needs, and preparing to welcome new students and staff as one team.
Prepare for the First Day—And Beyond
Getting ready isn’t just about logistics. It’s about building culture, aligning instruction, and making sure staff and students feel supported from day one. Then, be ready to listen and adjust.
This work is complex—and it’s too important to go it alone. We’ve done this in large districts, under pressure, and in the public eye. We know what it takes to do it right. Let us help you lead with confidence, care, and a plan.