The Seattle Public Schools (SPS) School Board has approved a plan to close up to 20 elementary schools as part of a consolidation effort aimed at addressing a $105 million deficit. Superintendent Brent Jones described the plan as creating a system of well-resourced elementary schools to enhance stability and consistency for students and staff. The current system operates at 65% capacity, and the consolidation aims to increase this to 85%, addressing under-enrollment, staffing issues, and inequitable offerings. The deficit projections for the upcoming fiscal years are $105 million, $129 million, and $153 million respectively, attributed to inadequate state funding, declining enrollment, and one-time funding sources being exhausted.
Seattle Public Schools Approves Mass Closure of Elementary Schools to Address Budget Deficit
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