5 Inglewood Unified schools closing amid declining enrollment

INGLEWOOD, Calif. (KABC) -- Five schools in the Inglewood Unified School District will be shutting down for good, and some parents are upset with the decision.

The district's County Administrator Dr. James Morris made the announcement Wednesday. Officials say the closures are due to declining enrollment and financial concerns.

Over the last two decades, enrollment across the district has declined from 18,000 students to just under 7,000.

The district also continues to pay the state more than $2 million a year due to poor fiscal management from 12 years ago.

"I understand that a school is more than a building," Morris said during a live stream. "It's a place where memories and relationships have been made. A place where dreams have been realized and generations of families have attended. In order to get our financial house in order and wisely invest taxpayer dollars, these decisions are necessary."

The following schools will be closing:

- Morningside High School

- Crozier Middle School

- Highland Elementary School

- Hudnall Elementary School

- Kelso Elementary School

"I'm very disappointed about the closure as this is pretty much the only school in the neighborhood that's in walking distance for us. I think it's a real shame," said Kelso elementary parent Tanisha Caliman.

Students at the closing elementary schools will be relocated to Warren Lane Elementary School, a school that previously closed but will reopen.

Some parents are concerned the district is prioritizing land closest to the entertainment venues. They say after school hours, the parking lot is used for people attending events in the area.

But Morris says a school near an entertainment venue and near a future transit stop is not ideal.

"In just the safety interest of students, having kids next to a major transit stop is not the best location that you want for a school," he added.

Despite the closures, Morris says the district plans to invest more than $200 million into the reconstruction of Inglewood High School. There are also plans to open a new high school academy so that students have three options for their high school experience.