Long Beach Schools Proposed for Closure

The Long Beach Unified School District cited declining enrollment as the primary reason for the potential shutdown.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in Primary Education

Bold vector editorial illustration of a classic school building entrance, featuring thick outlines and a warm, clean color palette. — The Long Beach Unified School District has proposed closing two elementary schools, Gompers and Edison, as enrollment numbers hit a decades-long low. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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The Long Beach Unified School District has proposed closing Gompers Elementary and Edison Elementary at the end of the school year. The district is facing financial strain as total enrollment has dipped below 60,000 students for the first time since the early 1980s.

Why it matters

Operating costs have outpaced revenue for the district, leading to three consecutive years of deficit spending. Officials plan to withdraw $45 million from district reserves this year to help balance the budget amid these fiscal challenges.

The district expects to tap into $45 million of its reserves to manage current operating costs. A local petition to keep Gompers open has already garnered over 600 signatures in a single day.

The players

Long Beach Unified School District

This is the governing educational body responsible for managing public schools throughout Long Beach.

Gompers Elementary

This is one of two local schools currently under consideration for closure by the district board.

Edison Elementary

This is a local school facing potential shutdown due to the district's declining student population.

The details

The district plans to consolidate Gompers attendance boundaries with Cleveland, Holmes and MacArthur elementary schools, while Edison students would transition to Chavez and Oropeza elementary schools. Although staff on permanent contracts will remain with the district, many teachers may not receive their new school assignments until April 2027.

Enrollment last fell below 60,000 students in the early 1980s.
The school board reviewed the information item on October 7, 2026.
A final vote on the proposed school closures is set for October 21, 2026.
The schools are scheduled to close at the end of the 2026-2027 school year.
Teachers may learn their new assignments in April 2027.

Roadmap

The current proposal to shutter two elementary schools follows the pattern established by the recent closure of Hoover Middle School. This reflects a broader trend of district consolidation as institutional operating costs struggle to align with declining student populations.

Families at affected schools will see their children reassigned to nearby campuses including Chavez, Oropeza, Cleveland, Holmes, or MacArthur elementary schools. Parents and community members have until the October board meeting to finalize their input on the boundary shifts.

The takeaway

The district's reliance on reserve funds indicates that structural financial adjustments will likely continue beyond the current school year. Families should prepare for potential long-term changes to school boundaries as the district attempts to stabilize its budget.