Seattle Public Schools lays out new school closure timeline

Seattle Public Schools families will now learn in October which elementary schools the district will recommend for closure — a month later than officials had most recently promised. But the district will still provide an earlier look at multiple proposals under consideration and the names of schools potentially affected.

In an update to the school board on Wednesday, Superintendent Brent Jones laid out a new timeline for the district’s “well-resourced schools” plan, and confirmed the preliminary recommendations would be presented at the Oct. 9 school board meeting.

Jones also reiterated his belief that consolidating the district's over 70 elementary school sites to around 50 is key to stabilizing the district’s ongoing budget crisis.

“Maintaining the status quo is simply not an option,” Jones said.

The district faces a $100 million budget deficit for the 2025-26 school year, and Jones estimates closing schools would save the district about $30 million.

“While this may seem like a small portion, relatively speaking, it’s crucial, because this deficit compounds over time if it's unaddressed,” he said. “This will threaten our long-term stability of our schools.”

The district’s new timeline to decide on specific school closures starts with an update the week of September 9 that officials said will include “the detailed proposals we are considering as we plan to make a recommendation to the Seattle School Board for our future.” A district spokesperson confirmed the update on its website will include names of schools under consideration for closure or consolidation.

The district will also launch a new online “well-resourced schools hub” during the week of Sept. 9. Jones said it will include a “detailed analysis” of the district’s current portfolio of elementary school buildings, and give insight on the impact school closures could have on families.

“We want to be there alongside you with every step of the way, helping you to understand and navigate these changes,” Jones said.

After officials present the proposed closures, the district will hold public hearings for each school on the list and the board would finalize it in “the following months.” The closures would take effect in the fall of 2025.

In Jones’ last update in late June, he pledged to spend the summer refining the plan. At that time, he said leaders would share a plan in September, so it could be finalized by the end of November, and the board could take its final vote in December, before winter break.

Editor’s Note 08/30/24: This story was updated to clarify that the district will release various closure proposals under consideration in early September, ahead of a preliminary recommendation to the school board in October.