List of "Merging" Seattle Schools' Elementaries

Apparently there is a plan by Seattle Schools to "merge" some elementary and K-8 schools. Now closing a school has a multi-step legal process but merger? I don't think so. 


Here is how I have been hearing (the first school is the one closing and moving):

- Sandpoint ES is merging with Laurelhurst.

- Sacajawea is merging with John Rogers.

- Orca K-8 is merging with MLK, Jr. (Orca's middle school population would move to Mercer MS)

- Rainier View is merging with Rising Star ES.

- Cedar Park is merging with James Baldwin.

- Sanislo is merging with Highland Park.

- John Hay is merging with Queen Anne.

- Stevens is merging with Montlake.


This information came via an email to staff that wasn't supposed to be "shared." I suspect this is not the entire list. 

The larger schools receiving students have been renovated for about 500+ students in them. 

Reddit is burning up with many questions. The main one I hear - a question that has been asked for lo a many year - when will they redraw boundaries? 

Another question that is related to boundaries is if SPS will move a school's population intact to another building. One commenter said if that were true, her child and all her friends staying together, then her child would just shrug.

Which brings me to a question I have - how will this impact future enrollment? SPS already has a problem and it's going to take years to get all their ducks in a row. Will parents turn away from the churn and go elsewhere?

And staff? What's in the SEA contract about this kind of situation? I don't think I need to ask but I assume length of service is a big one here and possibly right of first refusal to be moved to any other school. 


I find this troubling and I hope it doesn't come back to bite Shuldiner. Leadership needs to say something. 

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