More public schools are closing. Will the midterms speed or slow the process?

School board elections in several states could directly influence the pace of public school closures this week, as decisions on shuttering schools often hinge on local funding priorities and board discretion. The process reflects broader financial pressures tied to state-level budgeting, where legislative and executive actions shape districts’ ability to sustain operations. Voters weighing in on these races may find their choices determining whether closures proceed faster or face delays, depending on how new board members approach fiscal constraints. The outcomes could reshape education access in communities already navigating tight resources.

Public school closures are accelerating across the country, and voters in several states have a chance to speed up or slow down the process on Tuesday. Closures are largely determined by school board members and affected by a district's funding situation, which itself is downstream from state legislatures and governors' mansions.  With school board seats...