Seattle public school leaders have named four schools scheduled to close next year as part of an effort to alleviate a nearly $100 million budget shortfall.
In the latest school closure plan, Superintendent Brent Jones announced Thursday that he is recommending closure for North Beach, Sacajawea, Sanislo and Stevens elementary schools. District officials claim the measure will save millions of dollars.
“By closing these four under-enrolled schools, we are beginning to build a stronger, more sustainable school system,” Jones said in a letter to families. “This is the best way for our district to continue providing our students with the high-quality education they deserve.”
The fasteners are not etched in the stone. The Seattle School Board is expected to vote on the final plan by the end of January.
Jones acknowledged that change is difficult. He said the district prioritized minimizing disruption to students and families by considering factors such as building condition and size to select schools to close.
As part of that goal, students from each school will remain together and be integrated into other nearby schools. Under the plan:
North Beach students will be transferred to Beulands Elementary School, Sacajawea students will be transferred to John Rogers Elementary School, Sanislo students will be transferred to Highland Park Elementary School and Stevens students will be transferred to Montlake Elementary School. Masu.
Jones said each affected school would have its own transition team to “ensure a smooth and supportive process for everyone involved.”
He also promised a “thoughtful and transparent process” going forward. Starting next week, the district will hold engagement sessions at each affected school until Nov. 21. A district-wide engagement session will also be held on Nov. 14 at 6:30 p.m.
The simplified plan comes after widespread backlash over an earlier plan to close up to 21 schools, along with significant changes to boundaries and other reconfigurations throughout the district.
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Earlier this month, the Seattle Board of Education officially took widespread closures off the table. It also lays out a timeline and other next steps for school closures in 2025, including establishing a district task force to ease the transition and developing a new multi-year plan to restore financial stability. I asked for it.
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For more than a year, district administrators have argued that closures are essential to restoring the district’s financial stability and that reducing the size of the district’s current 70-plus elementary and K-12 schools would free up resources. They have argued that it can be distributed more effectively and equitably.
Jones said the district will need other austerity measures, including about $30 million in internal cuts, to address the budget deficit since reducing the number of school closures. Jones said this includes reducing staffing and adding a third bell time to reduce travel costs.
Jones also said he would seek an additional $40 million from the state for special education, transportation, operating costs and other funds. He also said he would seek “more flexibility” in repaying loans the district made to itself last year.
The district borrowed $30 million from its capital fund, which is normally used for building construction and maintenance, to cover last year’s $105 million shortfall. The district was scheduled to begin paying it back with interest as part of next year’s budget.
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Jones said Thursday that he would also urge school districts to “make full use of their collection authority.”
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