Night of the Living Ed: Zombie Public Schools, Drained of Pandemic Lifeblood, Haunt the Land | RealClearInvestigations

Night of the Living Ed: Zombie Public Schools, Drained of Pandemic Lifeblood, Haunt the Land | RealClearInvestigations - By Vince Bielski

"Call them “zombie” schools.
A significant but unknown number of public schools across the U.S., particularly in big cities, have lost so many students in the last half-decade that many of their classrooms sit empty. 

Gone is the loud clatter of students bursting through crowded hallways and slamming lockers.

• The harm from these half-empty schools is inflicted directly on all students in a district...

But nothing in public education is more controversial and difficult than closing a neighborhood school...which also tend to be the worst academic performers in districts, are just a prelude of the reckoning to come, according to interviews with school leaders, researchers, educators, and charter officials.

• ...But the $190 billion lifeline – called the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief Fund – ends next September...