Up to 21 Seattle schools face closures in proposed plan to fill budget hole

(The Center Square) – Seattle Public Schools revealed two potential school consolidation plans to save the district funding as it faces a $100 million budget deficit.

The potential closures are due to the district’s budget deficit that has resulted from weaker revenue streams and continually-decreasing enrollment.

The first option the Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors will consider is closing 21 elementary and K-8 schools and operating 52 attendance area elementary schools with no K-8 or option elementary schools throughout the district. This is estimated to save $31.5 million.

The other option would close 17 schools and operate 55 attendance-area elementary schools and one K-8 school per region. This would save the district $25.5 million.

Since the second option saves less money, the district said it would need to offset approximately $6 million with other budget cuts in order to address the $100 million budget deficit.

According to the district, closing a school could save Seattle Public Schools between $750,000 to $2 million.

Ultimately, 16 elementary and K-8 schools in the Seattle school district are set to be closed regardless of which option the board of directors choose.

The 16 elementary and K-8 schools subject to closures in both proposals includes: Licton Springs, North Beach, Broadview-Thomson K-8, Green Lake, Decatur, Cedar Park, Laurelhurst, Catharine Blaine K-8, John Hay, McGilvra, Stevens, Orca K-8, Graham Hill, Rainier View, Boren K-8 and Sanislo.

Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Brent Jones previously said that preliminary recommendations for which elementary schools face closures are expected sometime in early October.

Public hearings on each proposed school closure will be held in November. The school board will have a final vote on which option to choose in December before winter break.