Seattle Public Schools to consider school closures after 2024-25 school year

(The Center Square) – Seattle Public Schools is pursuing the consolidation of schools after the 2024-25 school year as a structural deficit continues to grow.

Seattle Public Schools faces a projected deficit of $104 million for the 2024-2025 school year, $129 million for 2025-2026, and $153 million for the 2026-2027 school year. The district cites insufficient funding from the state, a decline in enrollment, and previous staffing decisions as the primary reasons for the structural shortfall.

“Our current budget shortfall demands our collective attention and strategic planning,” Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Brent Jones said at Wednesday’s school board meeting. “We are committed to addressing it in a manner that reflects fiscal responsibility, actively incorporates feedback from our community members and ensures that our schools continue to provide high quality education.”

According to a presentation to the Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors, the 2024-2025 budget is expected to include reductions in the district’s central office, program adjustments, and reductions in school staffing in order to address the budget deficit. However, there is no mention of the consolidation of schools for the next school year.

“What makes it so hard in 2024-25 planning is we don’t even really have funding to do adjustments, so we’re now down to the point where we’re looking at reductions,” Jones said.

By May 8, 2024, Jones is expected to present a plan for well-resourced schools that may include school consolidations from 2025 through 2028.

From 2019 through 2023, enrollment at Seattle Public Schools decreased by 4,900 students, which resulted in a $81 million drop in revenue. Enrollment today is approximately 48,000 students spread throughout 104 school buildings.

District enrollment peaked in 1964 with 94,042 students throughout 117 buildings.

School board member Liza Rankin noted that closing and consolidating schools does not mean the district sells the buildings, never to be used again. She added that birth rates could trend upward, meaning an increase in future enrollment at Seattle Public Schools.

Jones added that he believes Seattle Public Schools will have all the elements of well-resourced schools by 2030. The district’s understanding of well-resourced schools includes fully furnished classrooms, up-to-date technology, a sufficient number of educators and a variety of instructional materials.