Public school districts across the region are facing dropping enrollment, budget cuts, and other financial strains. Many districts are planning for school consolidation and closures as a solution.

Closing schools is one way to preserve resources and balance budgets, but it’s a deeply personal matter to families, teachers, administrators, and the broader community.

Two of the school districts that have announced they’re weighing options for school closures in coming years: Evergreen Public Schools in Washington, and Salem-Kaizer in Oregon.

We speak with Will Denner, education reporter at The Columbian as well as Eddy Binford-Ross, a Report for America Fellow who covers education for the Salem Reporter. They share more about the challenges the districts are facing and the solutions they’re deliberating.

“Think Out Loud®” broadcasts live at noon every day and rebroadcasts at 8 p.m.

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News Source : https://www.opb.org/article/2026/09/28/think-out-loud-education-salem-kaizer-evergreen-schools/