FOLLOWUP: School Board approves plan to move programs out of old Roxhill building

(WSB file photo)

As reported here last night, today’s special meeting of the Seattle Public Schools Board included consideration of the plan to in essence vacate the former Roxhill Elementary – now “Roxhill Annex” – building at 9430 30th SW, by moving its two programs to new locations. Board members gave their unanimous approval tonight to moving the Southwest program of alternative high school Interagency Academy to Southwest Youth and Family Services‘ North Delridge HQ (a former location of the program) and moving BRIDGES, which is for young adults living with disabilities, to the Chief Sealth International High School campus. The reason for vacating the building was described as “issues with the facilities,” without elaboration; as we reported previously, the agenda document made mention of “safety” issues. Board member Liza Rankin wondered why the programs were moved to the Roxbury/30th building in the first place, considering that it had been considered unfit for its previous program, an elementary school (moved to the renovated EC Hughes Elementary building in Sunrise Heights in 2018). Board member Michelle Sarju expressed concern about the plan to move BRIDGES to portables at CSIHS, seeking reassurance that accessible bathrooms would be added to the program’s future portables before school started. Staffers couldn’t cite a date for completion of that work but said they’d look it up later. The plan for moving Interagency SW back to SWYFS apparently isn’t finalized yet either, as the status was described as “discussing a contract.” There was no presentation about nor discussion of the Roxhill building’s future; as we noted in our preview, the agenda document said simply, “The site is being evaluated for continued use for instructional purposes and is not recommended for closure at this time.” Since there was no mention of what that “continued use for instructional purposes” might entail, we’ll be following up with the district.

Educator July 31, 2025 (7:30 am)

Good! Students deserve to be in a building SPS will actually keep up. Telling that the B in Bridges on the reader board has been falling for over a year.

Caring Neighbor July 31, 2025 (5:18 pm)

It’s unfortunate how few people are commenting here. A very clear indicator on just how marginalized and uncared for these young folks are. Which is another reason why SPS has, again, deprioritized them. Another ugly moment for SPS. Shame on you for the harm this will inevitably cause our most vulnerable young people. These folks deserve a more thoughtful plan that actually considers their needs instead of an obviously rushed and haphazard move out of a place they’d already been carelessly placed. I’m appalled more people aren’t appalled.

Concerned August 13, 2025 (1:58 pm)

Thank you, Caring Neighbor! Our at-risk youth need to know they matter, and putting them in decrepit old buildings sends a distinct message that they don’t. The Interagency Center at the old Columbia Building is a case-in-point. The bathrooms are inadequate, the pipes old and the water discolored. Interagency is a program with a soul and a heartbeat for at-risk youth. The staff is dedicated to helping kids see a bright future, creating a new self-narrative that defines a successful trajectory, and understands their challenges. Let’s use our Levy funds to get them into better, safer learning environments.

1994 July 31, 2025 (10:26 pm)

Didn’t WA State just increase the age to attend public high school for special needs young adults? It was up to age 21 but recently there was a change to allow attendance through the school year in which the youth turned 21? I would hope the main high school campus will provide more opportunities for these young adults. I hope SPS remembers to turn off the special flashing yellow lights requiring a 20 MPH zone when Roxhill no longer has students.

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