Five-Year Plan, Budget Development, School Consolidation, and Student Assignment & Transportation Plans

Seattle Public Schools is working to create a school system that allows every student to thrive academically and socially. In early 2004, work began on a five-year plan for the District. The plan will shape the way that decisions are made and resources are allocated.

As work on this plan developed, it became clear that Seattle Public Schools, like districts across the state and the nation, faced a funding crisis. In order to raise academic achievement while closing a projected $12 million gap for 2005-2006 and estimated $20.7 million gap for 2006-2007, fundamental changes must be made in the way resources are allocated. Several short and long-term strategies are being considered, including school consolidation and changes to student assignment and transportation plans.

This website provides links to key information on the topics of the Five-Year Plan, Budget Development for 2005-2006, Budget Development for 2006-2007, Potential School Consolidation, and Student Assignment & Transportation Plans. It also provides a timeline and list of important dates, as well as opportunities for community input and involvement. Visit frequently for updates.

Highlights - Updated Monday, April 11, 2005

• Budget Planning Model for 2006-2007 - Community and Staff Input Welcome
  The Superintendent and members of the School Board seek recommendations from community members and staff on ways to close the projected $20.7 million gap for 2006-2007. A budget-balancing model, together with instructions and additional reference information, is available on this website. Please review the background and instructions carefully prior to submitting a recommendation. Note that to ensure the diverse range of community opinions is gathered, only one submission will be accepted per person.
  
  
• April 20 - Work Session and School Board Meeting - Preliminary Recommendations
  A School Board Work Session is scheduled for Wednesday, April 20, 4:00 to 5:45 p.m. at the Stanford Center. The Superintendent will present preliminary recommendations related to school closure/consolidation, student assignment plans and transportation plans.
  
  
• Other Important Dates are listed below.
  
  
  

Five-Year Plan

The draft five-year plan is available for viewing on the Five-Year Plan website, together with copies of input provided by communities across the district.

Budget Planning for 2005-2006

Budget planning and development for 2005-2006, which requires closure of an estimated $12.2 million gap, is well underway. Allocations to schools for site-based budgeting were announced in February, and schools submitted an updated transformation plan, budget and staffing plan on March 18. Information from these plans is being analyzed and aggregated. Planning for central budgets continues.

A School Board work session on the 2005-2006 budget is scheduled for Wednesday, March 23, 5 to 7 p.m. at the Stanford Center. The School Board is scheduled to vote on the final 2005-2006 budget at its July 13 meeting. Important budget documents for 2005-2006 are available on the budget website and include:

Budget Allocations to Schools (Blue Book) for 2005-2006
Budget Instructions for Schools (Green Book) for 2005-2006

Budget Planning for 2006-2007 and Beyond

Due to continued flat rates of funding from state and other sources, and continued rises in costs, the projected budget gap for 2006-2007 is $20.2 million.

Closing this gap, while increasing academic achievement for all students, will require fundamental changes in the way resources are allocated. Some of the potential budget-balancing strategies require more than a year's lead time to implement, therefore the Superintendent directed that work on the 2006-2007 budget begin immediately.

A series of community forums on school funding and the 2006-2007 budget were held during March and April.

Potential School Consolidation

School consolidation, beginning in the fall of 2006, is being considered as one strategy to reduce overhead costs and redirect resources to the classroom. On March 16, the School Board directed the Superintendent to proceed with a complete analysis of schools for potential consolidation or closure. The Superintendent will present a recommendation to the School Board on April 20 that will include a list of schools, explanation of criteria used, and complete analysis.

The process related to potential school consolidation began in January with a series of community meetings seeking input to criteria for use in potential consolidation. This input, together with information from board work sessions and a public hearing, led to a set of criteria proposed by the Superintendent. Click here to access an array of information, presentations, maps and background information shared at community forums and work sessions.

Student Assignment and Transportation Policy for 2006/2007

Options for student assignment and transportation plans were explored during four community forums held in February. The district presented possible assignment and transportation plans based on the following core values established by the School Board: access to quality schools, predictability, keeping families together, assignments close to home, equity, and access to a variety of programs. Community input was received related to defining plan components such as guaranteed neighborhood assignments, alternative schools, the extent of choice and transportation, and availability of specialty programs, to match these core values.

A School Board work session on student assignment and transportation was held on March 2. Staff presented feedback from a series of community forums, and a range of estimated cost savings based on various assignment plan and transportation plan scenarios. The presentation and additional analysis of enrollment and choice by school is available on this website.

Timelines and Important Dates

Important dates for community input, board work sessions and School Board votes on topics critical to reshaping the future of Seattle Public Schools are listed below. Dates or topics may be modified, so please check the School Board calendar for confirmation. Additional School Board committee meetings and community-based meetings are held throughout each month. For a complete list, visit the School Board Calendar.