Seattle School Closure Plans Spark Outrage and Reconsideration as Budget Woes Persist

The Seattle Public Schools' plan to close up to 20 schools has ignited fierce opposition from parents, students, and community members. At a packed school board meeting on Wednesday night, over 350 people rallied outside, with 200 filling the room to capacity.

Robert Cruickshank, a parent and school advocate, noted: "What you heard is that the Board now understands that this is a highly unpopular plan that they're going to struggle to get through. But what you also heard is that most of the Board is on board with this."

The district claims closures would save about $30 million, far short of the approximate $100 million deficit. Independent analysis suggests the actual savings may be closer to $17 million.

"They're saving anywhere from a tenth to a third of the budget," Cruickshank explained. "What that means is they still have $64 million to cut. That comes out of the classroom. That comes in terms of laying off teachers. Class size is going even higher."

Cruickshank emphasized that closing schools is not the solution to the budget crisis. He pointed out that the district is looking to the state for help: "So under all of the budget scenarios that the superintendent presented last night, all of them presume that they will get more funding from the legislature to close the deficit. None of the proposals, even the ones that close schools, assume that the district can close its $100 million deficit by themselves without state help."

This is not just a Seattle issue, according to Cruickshank: "We know that many other districts across the state are also in dire financial crisis, Marysville being the most notable one where they're under state receivership now and under threat of dissolution if they don't sort their finances out. But, you know, six other districts are facing state oversight and dozens more are headed in that direction."

For parents and community members looking to get involved, Cruickshank highlighted a newly formed organization: "So there's been a community convening under the organization called All Together for Seattle Schools. And that's the website alltogetherforseattleschools.org. They're the ones who organized the large rally at Wednesday night's school board meeting."

He described recent organizing efforts: "We had, last Saturday in Beacon Hill at Jefferson Park, 60 people show up for an organizing meeting. We broke out into small groups to plan out different aspects of how we're going to organize around this and reach out to parents and reach out to other elected officials."

The growing pressure seems to be having an effect. On September 23rd, Superintendent Brent Jones informed families that he is "taking more time to reflect on plans to bring a consolidation recommendation this October." He expressed that he is collaborating with his leadership team to “revise our strategy and ensure any decisions we make are sustainable and prioritize the well-being of our students, staff, and families, working together to meet our goals." Additionally, Jones mentioned that the district will reconsider its consolidation schedule. While Jones’ statement did not express commitment to keeping all schools open, it is a change in rhetoric in response to concerns expressed by families and educators. 

The state's role in funding education is an issue gaining more prominence in the gubernatorial race between Bob Ferguson and Dave Reichert. Cruickshank noted: "Bob Ferguson finally came out with an education plan on his website this month. It talks about providing a lot more money for public schools. He said it in the Wednesday night debate with Dave Reichert - that we need to make sure the state budget, at least half of it, goes to public education. He wants to shrink class sizes. So he gets it. Whether the state legislature is there yet, we will see"

Ultimately, Cruickshank believes the solution lies in pressuring the legislature: "And I think where parents are at now is we should make the legislature close the entire deficit. There's no need for further cuts in the classroom. There's certainly no need to close schools."

Recommended Reading

Underfunded and Unsustainable: An in-depth look at the school funding crisis in Washington and its impact on school communities by Jacob Vela and Eleanor Bridge Jayaram of League of Education Voters