Seattle Public Schools is reconsidering a plan to shut down four schools, even with significant budget issues on the horizon.
The school district is confronting a significant financial shortfall estimated between $90 million and $100 million for the next academic year.
At the end of last month, the Superintendent of Seattle Public Schools, Brent Jones, shared his initial proposal regarding potential school closures for the upcoming year. Four educational institutions are slated for shutdown: North Beach Elementary, Sacajawea Elementary, Stevens Elementary, and Sanislo Elementary.
Seattle Public Schools had been contemplating the closure of 17 to 21 schools, a move that could have resulted in savings of around $30 million for the district. The district would have faced an estimated shortfall of approximately $70 million to manage following the consolidations.
In light of community feedback, the district is exploring different strategies to address the structural deficit.
On Tuesday, Jones indicated that he might retract his initial recommendation for his “well-resourced schools” initiative due to the circumstances.
“It is now clear that that direction is shifting and I am withdrawing my preliminary recommendation,” Jones said at a Tuesday night Seattle Public Schools Board meeting. “I will need to give it more consideration as to when it would come back, if it does.”
Just prior to Jones’ announcement, members of the school board expressed their dissatisfaction with the suggested school closures.
After the public comment period, Liza Rankin, the President of the Seattle Public School Board, showed clear signs of emotion as parents expressed their opposition to the suggested school closures. She mentioned that merging schools remains a possibility the district board might have to explore, but she expressed doubt that everyone will feel comfortable supporting a positive vote in January given the current situation.
School Board Director Michelle Sarju foresees a bleak outlook for the district.
“What’s about to come after January 20, 2025, is going to be devastating to this district, because we actually didn’t do our work that we needed to do before that,” Sarju said. “We’re not trying to break up communities; what we’re trying to do is save a system for all of your kids.”
Jones mentioned that the district possesses certain resources to address the problem.
Seattle Public Schools currently possesses $30 million in flexibility due to the repayment of its capital loan program.
The district is pursuing $40 million in funding from the state. Jones mentioned that there have been fruitful conversations with lawmakers to obtain that financial support.
In conclusion, the Seattle Public Schools Board is exploring $30 million in savings from within its own budget.
Jones noted that the board is considering putting levies before voters to ensure the district’s long-term financial stability. The proposal could be presented next month.