Superintendent Considers Withdrawing Proposal of Seattle Public Schools
Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Brent Jones signaled he might withdraw his recent proposal to close four elementary schools, leaving the district’s closure plans uncertain. During a board meeting on Tuesday, Jones acknowledged a shift in direction following feedback from the public and the School Board.
The proposal aimed to close Sanislo, North Beach, Stevens, and Sacajawea elementary schools, consolidating them with nearby institutions to address a projected $94 million budget deficit. Public hearings for the plan are scheduled for December, with a School Board vote expected in late January. However, School Board President Liza Rankin expressed doubts about supporting the closures, citing emotional testimonies from parents.
Jones emphasized that his decision wasn’t final but suggested the possibility of delaying or withdrawing the recommendation altogether. “It is now clear that that direction is shifting, and I am considering withdrawing my preliminary recommendation,” he said.
Parents Rally Against Closures of Seattle Public Schools
Community resistance has been a significant factor influencing the district’s plans. On Tuesday afternoon, approximately 80 parents and advocates gathered outside the John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence to protest. Using signs and a loudspeaker, they called for transparency and a halt to the closure proposal. Protesters carried messages such as “Make it make sense” and “Let Stevens’ stars shine,” reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with the rationale behind the plan.
Parents like Peggi Fu, whose children attend North Beach Elementary, voiced concerns about the impact of consolidations on their children’s education and well-being. Fu questioned the potential for overcrowding at Viewlands Elementary, the proposed receiving school for North Beach students.
“They need to look at boundaries to make sure that schools being consolidated aren’t being over-enrolled and that the new plan makes sense,” Fu said.
The parents pointed to alternative approaches, including examples from the Shoreline School District, which paused its closure plans after new data challenged their necessity.
Growing Distrust and Calls for Transparency
In addition to the protests, parents expressed concerns at in-person community engagement sessions hosted by the district. The final session, held at North Beach Elementary on Monday night, drew approximately 150 parents and students who questioned the potential impacts of the closures on staff-to-student ratios and education quality.
Julie Schneider, a parent from Salmon Bay Elementary, expressed solidarity with families from the affected schools, despite her school being spared in the latest proposal. She warned that the district’s closure plans might eventually extend to other schools.
“A lot of parents at Salmon Bay think (the district) isn’t going to stop at these four, and it’s just a matter of time before they come for our school,” Schneider said. “The numbers don’t add up to any real savings. They are disrupting communities and making changes to thriving schools.”
With public hearings on the horizon and growing calls for accountability, the fate of Seattle’s elementary schools remains uncertain. Community members continue to advocate for transparency and equitable solutions to the district’s financial challenges.
