VIDEO: Protesters say even one Seattle school closure is too many, but district proceeds with plans for up to five

(WSB photos and video)

Five hours after that rally outside Seattle Public Schools headquarters, stressing opposition to any school closures, the district superintendent and board moved ahead with a plan to propose up to five.

First, the board approved this resolution setting some parameters for superintendent Dr. Brent Jones‘s forthcoming proposal, including a directive to create a community task force. Our area’s school board director Gina Topp was a co-sponsor of the resolution and said she hoped it would help rebuild trust. The board, at the behest of director Brandon Hersey, added language underscoring that five would be the maximum number of closures proposed – for next year, anyway.

Shortly thereafter, Dr. Jones presented his progress report on the plan, with two major headlines: He says he’s planning to release his proposed list of up to five schools “around October 21”; just one list, no alternative “options” like last time. And he said the intention will be for those five school “communities” to stay together as they are consolidated into other campuses, so the students and staff can move together. Here are both of the two slides he showed:

However, the demonstration before the meeting, led again by the coalition All Together for Seattle Schools, stressed that even one closure is too many.

Speakers included West Seattle parents whose schools had been on the now-scrapped lists – including Katie Lewis from Louisa Boren STEM K-8:

Boren has an indefinite reprieve, because the new short list is not supposed to include any K-8 or option schools. No such reassurance for the other West Seattle school that like Boren was on both of Dr. Jones’s previous lists, Sanislo Elementary. Sanislo parent Briana Herman-Brand spoke at the board meeting as well as at the rally, noting that the school’s small size “is part of its magic,”

Rather than closing schools, the coalition wants to see the state fully fund them. The board talked about a possible lobbying trip to Olympia; closure opponents implored them to make use of the community energy. Before the rally, we talked with a Gatewood Elementary parent who said their PTA is circulating an open letter to the governor, calling for a special legislative session “to fully fund public schools.” You can see the letter – and add your name if you want to – by going to gatewoodpta.org/openletter.

Anne October 10, 2024 (9:09 am)

If you’re into conspiracy theories-there are those that believe this entire drama has been scripted from the start. Announce a plan to close 20 schools knowing how much it will rile folks up-then back off for a bit with the caveat that money still needs to be found-somehow -someway. Then a few weeks later-announce only 5 schools will close-also knowing that it’s just the beginning-5 now-5 in the next year or 2–then 5 more after that etc.I have actually read this scenario more than once-& while I’m not sure I believe it-mainly because closing 20 schools in this way does nothing to solve the money shortage immediately-(which is what they’ve said needs to happen ) it wouldn’t surprise me to find out there’s some truth to it. This is all to say -please folks stay vigilant-keep up the fight to save our schools. Keep demanding transparency-right now & in the future.

Curious George October 10, 2024 (11:35 am)

SPS has been receiving taxpayers money since 1869. You would think by now they would know how to balance a check book but alas no.
Geez Louise October 10, 2024 (6:04 pm)

“If you’re into conspiracy theories” … and then you proceed with your own conspiracy theory, rotflmao … “there are those that believe this entire drama has been scripted from the start”.

Like who exactly believes that besides MTG & DJT & you???

This really isn’t hard to understand … school funding deficit, student enrollment down, balancing a budget will require slashing costs (i.e. school closings). This isn’t a conspiracy, it’s real life.
- Ben Lukoff October 14, 2024 (10:34 am)
  
  Maybe the entire drama hasn’t been scripted from the start, but district folks are on record as saying they’d want to close numerous schools regardless of whether there’s a budget crisis or not. See here and here…

Admiral Mom October 10, 2024 (9:23 am)

Five school closures? Yet to be seen. Not because of public outcry, but because of incompetence from the district. You can do all the rallies you want but IF (a big IF) the district can come up with a comprehensive plan backed with data and deep analysis of whether or not this will result in better student outcomes, then yes, SPS will close the schools that are so under enrolled and close the budget hole by a tiny margin. Problem is we still have a huge deficit. My ask for the district is to be completely transparent and tell where the money will come from (hint: not from Olympia because they won’t magically shell out all the funding we need). From my perspective: 1. There will be cuts in administrative staff, making it for principals harder to run a “well resourced school” without the support of an assistant principal. 2. Librarians. Beloved librarians. 3. Salary decrease across the board for everyone at buildings 4. More furlough days in central office. So buckle up and if you threaten to go private, remember not everyone can.

WS Parent October 10, 2024 (12:42 pm)

SPS needs transparency, and needs better capacity management.SPS will be targeting Sanislo, and other small elementaries around the city. But have they considered how much capacity they have added to the southern part of the SW region in the past decade or so? Louisa Boren STEM opened. Arbor Heights was rebuilt to a much larger school. E.C. Hughes at Roxhill reopened (kicking out Westside). A large addition was put on West Seattle Elementary. Why was SPS adding this much capacity if it thought enrollment was decreasing? Regardless, it was wrong to starve out Sanislo while adding all of that capacity nearby.

I know one way to fill up Sanislo: add a Montessori program, and open up that program to both Seattle residents and Highline students. Sanislo’s “open floor plan” would work great with a Montessori model, and Sanislo would have long wait lists. Would SPS do it? I am not holding my breath.
StupidInSeattle October 10, 2024 (7:44 pm)

Admiral Mom is on the right track. The school district can’t fund school buildings that have lost students because Parents will not put their children into a school system that has poor academic scores, weak curriculum plans, and are closed too many days of the year. And the State isn’t going to give money to any school district with a sub-standard ratio of students to resources. Keeping those schools open only makes sense if the district improves its product, gains the trust of Parents, and attracts students back with the promise of a valued education.

LyndaB October 10, 2024 (9:41 am)

Maybe someone has said this already. I am thinking how Mount St. Vincent has a daycare there and the kiddos interact with the seniors. There are college students living in a retirement community. Intergenerational living is a thing.Some school properties are expansive. If we consider utilizing what the school district has, whatever school updates should include housing. Currently, school funding is coming from state funding, property taxes, federal money, levy etc and those always fluctuate. What doesn’t fluctuate now? Housing. There was recent announcement about a future Costco with apartments on top in California. I mention this because it goes against we know of Costco. Huge parking lots with a huge warehouse. It changes their old strategy but helps meets needs for the locale and getting their project to move forward. The school district should consider thinking outside the box and consider going mixed use. I went to Sanislo, Lafayette, Dunlap, Cooper, Madison, and West Seattle. The elementaries have large play grounds. I know we need to burn off energy on the playground. I know I need that now as an adult, too, but we need to keep our schools. This might help.

Anne October 10, 2024 (4:00 pm)

So build housing on Lafayettes or other schools large playgrounds- is that what you’re saying? Even acknowledging the importance of playgrounds-this is what you want to do?I too want to Lafayette, Madison, & West Seattle-if that’s even relevant-& I would fight this idea as long as I live.

“Look at these entitled parents” October 10, 2024 (10:06 am)

“Why should I fund schools when parents can’t afford to send their kids to privatized schools?”

WS Taxpayer October 10, 2024 (11:43 am)

Facts are enrollment for Seattle public have been on the decline for quite some time. A direct result of fewer students, is the need for fewer schools. I fail to understand why we struggle to understand the logical rules of supply and demand. The decisions to best supply the district with the appropriate service, within the constraints of the budget, should be that of the school district. I have empathy for those families that now need to drive to drop their kids off, or that now need to take the bus, but that is not an unreasonable expectation. I will continue to question the decision making of the district that spends MILLIONS on a school that, based on WS Blog comments, few folks think is necessary (Alki), while threatening to close nearby schools (Lafayette) which is illogical at best and inept at worst. But in the case of Less Students = Less Schools I am on the side of the district.

Anne October 10, 2024 (3:53 pm)

This is something our adult kids who have been involved with local schools have been saying for awhile now. Enrollment IS down & has been going down . The WHY must be addressed -must be part of the solution -but no one seems to want to either acknowledge that or really do the work to fix the problem (if it even is fixable). Is it population , safety, curriculum, home schooling, private schooling?????? A combination of all these things? This is at the core of keeping all our schools open.