SEATTLE SCHOOL CLOSURES? Superintendent says recommendations won’t be out until October

The Seattle Public Schools Board meeting for August (agenda) is happening right now (livestream here), and it began with an update from Superintendent Dr. Brent Jones on where he’s at with the long-expected plan for closures/consolidations. After reiterating the reasons he believes it’s necessary – including a nine-digit annual budget gap – Dr. Jones offered an updated timeline:

*The week of September 9, an online “hub” will open, a website with an “inventory of buildings” and information on how closures/consolidations might affect families

*After that, they’ll “continue to gather feedback” via meetings and other “engagement” opportunities

*At the September 18 board meeting, Dr. Jones will present an update on the process

*In October, the “preliminary recommendations” for elementary-school closures/consolidations will be presented

*After that, site-based (specific school) hearings will be held

According to the superintendent, the closure/consolidation plan would save $30 million a year. He reiterated, “Maintaining the status quo is simply not an option.”

P.S. After asking a followup question, the school-board director for West Seattle and most of South Park, Gina Topp, announced that her next community meeting will be at 6 pm Wednesday, September 25, at the West Seattle (Admiral) Library, so that’ll be an opportunity to discuss what’s emerged by then.

Luke August 28, 2024 (5:32 pm)

Would the closures/consolidations take effect for the 2025/26 school year?

westseattlebob August 28, 2024 (5:44 pm)

My same question!! Hopefully SPS doesn’t alter anyone’s year as it would be a massive disruption to everyone involved. I wonder if staff already have been given an idea as to which schools are most likely going to be affected by closure and or consolidation……
- Al King August 28, 2024 (6:49 pm)
  
  WSBob/Luke. As they’re claiming a cash crisis probably a safe bet closures would happen quickly. And yes, 2025/2026 school year is a good bet. My 2cents is that they already know which schools they want to close/consolidate.
Andrea August 30, 2024 (9:40 am)

I imagine so. They’ll have to work with the Teacher’s Union, look at what buildings can increase in size, hear from the public about concerns, and reconfigure bus routes.
Zoe August 30, 2024 (4:21 pm)

SPS needs to be taken over by the State. The incompetence level is so high it is harmful to families and students. It is a major reason we left Seattle. When will the bloated admin who do nothing constructive be held to account?

1000amys August 28, 2024 (5:44 pm)

Wow, they really intend to push school closures through despite all the evidence that it harms students and communities, and will not provide a solution to the budget crisis. The only way this would save a significant amount of money is if it’s accompanied by mass layoffs, which would result in schools being LESS well-resourced. It’s a terrible plan. Last time Seattle closed multiple schools, they had to re-open most of them less than ten years later, at increased cost. I’m incredibly frustrated that the Superintendent is not hearing the community’s wishes on this. https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/seattle-school-closures-whats-the-rush/

wsres August 28, 2024 (7:43 pm)

they will have to lay off some teachers if they consolidate schools.
- Admiral Mom August 29, 2024 (9:54 am)
  
  Consolidating schools just moves the students and their teachers into an already occupied building. Those students still need teachers. The employees who will lose their jobs are principals, vice principals, librarians, office staff, custodians and cafeteria staff.

Kimmy August 28, 2024 (7:01 pm)

They won’t close any schools this school year at all!

Kyle August 28, 2024 (7:03 pm)

The hot mess that is the school budget, the lack of any sort of plan to fix it (can has been kicked for at least 2 years), and the public safety mess has me ready to see if the suburbs do quality of life better for families.

Chicken Dinner August 28, 2024 (7:06 pm)

We should tax anyone that has a combined income over 500k a year to support these schools. That would solve the problem and the schools can stay open. The class room are already packed full. We need more schools, not less

Admiral Mom August 29, 2024 (9:55 am)

It’s hard to imagine the state constitution will be amended to allow a tax on income in time to solve this problem.
The King August 29, 2024 (11:23 am)

The McCleary decision taxed everyone. SPS used a good portion of that money for double digit raises.

Jeepney August 28, 2024 (7:22 pm)

Want more funding for schools? Remember that the next time you vote for the endless levies they foist upon us.

HTB August 29, 2024 (10:27 am)

West Seattle High School ended the 2023-24 school year with 1350 students. Their enrollment estimate for this year was 1404. The number they actually ended up with 1540* — a 136 student gap. If that doesn’t tell you everything you need to know about the ability of SPS enrollment, I don’t know what does. Here’s hoping they don’t make the same mistake of closing schools and having to reopen 5 years later.

*source: West Seattle High School “2024-2025 School Year Kick Off” kick off text via smore app.

Me mama August 30, 2024 (9:03 am)

Here here. Forecasting hasn’t been their strength for decades We need a legislative solution to this mess. SPS isn’t the only district in this situation, for those who are considering moving. Bellevue has closed schools and Maryville has a huge number to close as well (the state has taken over their budget) This is a statewide issue and needs a legislative fix

E5 August 29, 2024 (11:12 am)

Enrollment in SPS has dropped nearly 5000 students from prepandemic numbers. Enrollment is currently about 48,000. What matters is the expected growth or decline of future enrollment. I can’t find anyone who expects growth, just decline or stasis at best.

Me mama August 30, 2024 (9:06 am)

Lafayette, Madison middle and West Seattle HS enrollment all proves you wrong. As another commenter above mentions specifics on WSHS – these schools have had higher enrollment than expected and are bucking overall district trends of lower enrollment.

Teacher August 30, 2024 (8:46 am)

@ES, I expect SPS enrollment to grow. Because of declining family size and a declining fertility rate, I expect enrollment growth will occur at a lower rate than the overall population growth of the city, but predictions are that Seattle’s population will continue to increase. I believe that will soon lead to small, steady enrollment growth as more housing is built. I also expect that SPS will consolidate the elementary schools ANYWAY. SPS is promoting a changed structural model with larger schools and larger classes and fewer administrators, and they are using (or hiding behind?) declining enrollment predictions as ONE argument for reducing non-instructional staff by moving to fewer, larger elementaries.

K September 11, 2024 (4:03 pm)

Preliminary lists have been shared with principals and are starting to get around. Not final yet, but it looks like Sanislo and probably Louisa Boren are going, but Roxhill is being spared. To be finalized when they vote in a couple weeks.