Question of the Day - Do You Think Seattle Schools Should Close Schools?

Update 2:

I typed too quickly and saw my error in the article about the closure list in the Seattle Times. 

Given that state law requires a hearing at every school site that’s slated to close, it would be a tight schedule to make the December vote if the list is unveiled in September.

That's right; the public hearing for each school has to happen BEFORE the school is voted on. So apparently, the Superintendent will present a preliminary list in - what? - September, then the public hearings, then the vote in December. 

end of update

Update: it appears that the Superintendent will NOT be submitting a plan or list for closing schools at Wednesday night's Board meeting. He has a message with several topics in it - including safety - but here's what he says on "well-resourced schools" (bold mine):

Board Meeting Update

While the rescheduled meeting will occur on June 26, this Regular School Board Meeting will not include a proposed “school closure list.”

Instead, the presentation will focus on the criteria guiding our decisions, such as budget and enrollment data, building condition assessments, program considerations, and community input.

We’ve heard from our community. Families and staff want to understand our planning process and react to proposals. The end of the school year and summer is not an ideal time for community engagement. Over the summer, my team will work hard to evaluate and consider the feedback we have heard and refine the plan that will be presented to our board.

Reports will resume with our School Board and community in September. Our board will be voting on the well-resourced schools plan before winter break in December 2024.

Community Input

We have received strong participation and valuable feedback during our community meetings. Our community cares deeply about our schools.

It is crucial to ensure any steps we take are in the best interest of our students and families. Therefore, we will take more time this summer to thoroughly consider your input before announcing school consolidations.

Budget Considerations

We are working to stabilize our district amid declining enrollment. As SPS does every year, we are proposing a balanced budget to our board for approval for the next school year.

The 2024-25 Budget includes forecasting for school consolidations to begin in the 2025-26 school year.

This recommendation will help us achieve savings over time rather than immediately. It is essential to start to align our resources to our values. We will also continue to strongly advocate with the legislature to fully fund education.

Please know, however, there will be no vote on school consolidations during the June 26 Regular School Board Meeting.

Commitment to Thoughtful Decision-Making

We recognize that the process of rightsizing our school buildings with our student enrollment is complex. Our focus is on creating stable, vibrant, and well-resourced schools that reflect the diversity and needs of our community.

We will involve external experts to review our work and suggest improvements and innovations. This will help ensure our plans are solid and will improve outcomes for students.

This timeline will enable detailed discussions about our school system, incorporating community input and expertise. We endeavor to build trust and create schools that reflect our shared values and vision.

Thank you for your understanding, patience, and ongoing support. Together, we will overcome these challenges and strive for a brighter future for all Seattle Public Schools students.

Thoughts:

- Glad the presentation will be about criteria because that will let us know if they are going to do this strictly on equal assessment or bring in their "value" assessment for "those students furthest from educational justice." 

- The end of the school year/summer not a good time you say?

- Savings over time, you say? Could that be the counterargument to "closing schools won't close the budget gap." 

- If the final list vote is in December, they will have to get to those legally required public meetings for each named school quickly in 2025. 

- "External experts? Are they paying for consultants now? Lordy. 

end of update

None? Some?

I got asked this question and was taken aback for a minute. Because, of course, my opinion doesn't matter but maybe yours does. 

My answer would be a loud NO.

First, it's not going to balance any budget. If it did by half, maybe I'd be persuaded. 

Second, the amount of work - planning, transportation changes, boundary changes, etc - is really going to be overwhelming. That's a direct cost to the district. I think if the district does close schools, they need to account for every single penny of doing so. 

Third, the amount of stress - administrators, teachers, parents, kids, district staff - is going to be very high and take a toll especially coming after COVID lockdown issues. That's a lot of stress for kids to take on.

However, the reality is there are some very small schools in old buildings. That, for me, should be the two criteria. That SPS has helped some schools shrink is moot at this point. 

(However, I'm still on that waitlist issue at Option Schools.) 

But that's not 20 schools. 

Problem is, that even if you closed 10, they would not be evenly spread throughout the district and there would be cries of unfairness if one region took it on the chin more than another. 

Plus, the district already signaled their hand years ago by creating these capital projects at Montlake, John Rogers, Viewlands and Alki Elementary. Mega elementaries are being created and there's no way the district is going back on that. But still, that would just be four schools to close. 

Maybe the district should consider a go-slow approach, given all the work and heartache closing schools entails.