SCHOOL CLOSURES? New time to talk with your Seattle School Board director

Seattle Public Schools has yet to announce the dates and times of community meetings about its newly released proposals for school closures, but we’ve learned of one TENTATIVE date, courtesy of Gina Topp, the school board representative for West Seattle and most of South Park. She has changed the time of her previously announced community-conversation meeting on Wednesday, September 25, to an earlier start, 5 pm, because, she says, the district has tentatively scheduled a West Seattle meeting for 6:30 that same night. Topp adds, “I’ll be at both to listen, connect with the community, and take feedback. If anyone can’t make it, they can always email me directly at gina.topp@seattleschools.org with their thoughts or questions.” Her meeting at 5 pm September 25 will be in the West Seattle (Admiral) Library at 2306 42nd SW; no location yet for the possible district meeting, pending confirmation.

Derrick September 14, 2024 (8:28 pm)

I have yet to find an answer to my question – what happens to the buildings if the schools close? Are they just allowed to sit empty as a target for graffiti and crime? All members of the community – even those without children should be very concerned.

Kyle September 14, 2024 (8:46 pm)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/seattles-school-closure-plan-slashes-what-works-not-what-doesnt/My opinion, there are a few closures and consolidations that make sense. But what is proposed is too drastic, and transportation and other key areas of the budget should be examined first.

M. September 15, 2024 (7:18 am)

I really worry about Lafayette being in the heart of the North Admiral business district and what a closure would mean for surrounding businesses. Next year if most parents are driving their kids to school or sending them in on buses, the many people who patronize neighborhood places like Freshy’s and West Seattle Grounds are just not going to be there in the mornings anymore. Same for Inspire and Barre, who time their classes around the school bell schedule. Obviously Good Society would take a big hit too. I hope neighbors realize, even if you don’t have a child at Lafayette, a closure could have a much greater impact on the character of the neighborhood. And also just so many more cars on the road.

WS Res September 16, 2024 (9:36 am)

Lafayette is a well performing, highly attended, elementary school. Moving 500 students and families to Delridge is only going to push more families towards private education and hasten the decline of our Public School system. Schools are part of local, walkable and engaged communities. It seems blind to take a school which is working and break it. Please attend these public meetings and encourage the Administration to pursue Option B.

Sorry, comment time is over.