New London to Close One Elementary School, Citing Budget Savings

The Board of Education will decide on Monday which of the district's three elementary schools to shutter as part of a $3 million annual cost-cutting measure.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 8:00pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a single, iconic elementary school building repeated in a tight grid pattern, utilizing flat, vibrant neon color palettes and heavy black photographic outlines to transform the everyday structure into a modern pop art piece.The impending closure of one of New London's elementary schools reflects the difficult financial realities facing school districts across the region.New London Today

The New London Board of Education is expected to decide on Monday which of the district's three elementary schools will be closed as part of a multimillion-dollar cost-saving plan. The closure, which would shift 5th graders to the middle school and 8th graders to the high school, is projected to save the district $3 million per year. The decision comes as the district has seen a 400-student enrollment drop since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Why it matters

New London, like many school districts across the state and nation, has faced declining enrollment in recent years, putting financial pressure on the school system. The closure of one of the three elementary schools is expected to help the district address a projected $6 million budget shortfall for the 2026-27 school year.

The details

The three elementary schools being considered for closure are Winthrop STEM, C.B. Jennings International, and Nathan Hale Arts. The district plans to eliminate the International Education program at Jennings and enroll all students in either the arts or STEM magnet pathways at the remaining two schools. This enrollment change is expected to generate an additional $2.1 million in state magnet reimbursement revenue.

  • The Board of Education will meet on Monday, April 22, 2026 to decide which elementary school to close.
  • The school closure and grade-level shifts are planned for the 2026-27 school year.

The players

New London Board of Education

The governing body of the New London school district that is responsible for making the decision to close one of the district's three elementary schools.

Cynthia Ritchie

The superintendent of the New London school district.

Michael Passero

The mayor of New London, who presented a $107.5 million budget plan for the 2026-27 school year.

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What they’re saying

“No one wants to close a school. The community is invested in their history. But if this puts the school system in a better position to financially serve its students, it's the right decision. It ultimately comes down to practicality and efficiency.”

— Rich Martin, Board Member

“I looked at classrooms, equipment and tried to figure out the cost to shift those things if Winthrop was closed.”

— Elaine Maynard-Adams, Board President

What’s next

The Board of Education will make a final decision on which elementary school to close during their meeting on Monday, April 22, 2026.

The takeaway

The closure of one of New London's elementary schools is a difficult but necessary decision to address the district's declining enrollment and budget challenges. While the community is invested in their local schools, the consolidation is expected to save $3 million annually and position the district to better serve students in the long run.