Superintendent's Preliminary Recommendation

Questions and Answers

SECTION A: Overview and Context

1. Why would you close or consolidate schools? What message is the school district sending to families in Seattle by proposing school closure/consolidation?

Seattle Public Schools has as much as 30 percent extra capacity in its buildings - which means that the district spends money to keep buildings open instead of spending that money on increasing student achievement. In addition, enrollment projections over the next ten years show that the district can expect flat to declining enrollment.

With this proposal to close/consolidate schools, Seattle Public Schools is demonstrating its commitment to reshaping the school district, to using its resources on behalf of student achievement instead of maintaining unused capacity, and to creating quality schools in every neighborhood. Reshaping schools will allow us to focus resources in a more efficient way, and will allow us to invest in people - the children, families, teachers and school leaders we serve.

2. How will your proposal to close/consolidate schools improve education in Seattle Public Schools?

The school closure/consolidation process has led to a clearer articulation of the educational beliefs and values that are important for student success. We have identified the programs and services necessary at all elementary, middle and high schools to create high-performance schools and to provide equity in schools across the city.

Because school funding is a function of student enrollment, a target planning range of 400 students for elementary schools, 800 students for middle schools, and 1,200 students for high schools is recommended. These ranges will drive sufficient funding so that schools can offer the services and programs students need to succeed. Schools in these size ranges will also offer teachers and other staff members opportunities to learn from one another and to collaborate in ways that are not possible in smaller schools.

3. Many people have said that closing/consolidating schools will destroy neighborhoods and divide communities. What is your response to this?

We believe that providing quality schools to families is a critical part of sustaining healthy neighborhoods. By offering neighborhood schools in areas of the city where families and children currently reside, or are expected to reside in the future, we believe that each school will not only have the enrollment it needs to thrive, but that the school can also serve as a center of the community.

We believe that strong schools and strong communities go hand-in-hand. By reshaping the district, we can make sure that schools are able to offer a high quality education for all students. By allocating our resources more effectively, we can ensure that schools offer children the kinds of programs - including after-school and preschool programs - that involve the community and make the school a community hub.

We have carefully examined resident enrollment data to match the needs of our families and encourage walk zones around schools. With our proposed new student assignment plan, we are recommending assignments for elementary and middle school students based on continuity and predictability - which will offer students, parents and staff opportunities to sustain strong learning communities over time.

4. What is your plan to gather community input on the proposed list of schools to be closed/consolidated?

After the Superintendent makes his preliminary recommendation on school closure/consolidation on April 20, he is scheduled to present his final recommendation to the School Board in July of 2005. During the months of May and June, community meetings will be held in every region of the city to discuss the closure proposals and seek community input. The feedback gathered may be used to refine or adapt the recommendations prior to the Board vote on the proposal, which is scheduled for July of 2005.

This process is also discussed in Section G., Board Policy and Criteria.

5. If the School Board votes to close or consolidate schools, what is your plan to communicate with your communities about the school closure process?

If the board votes to approve school closure/consolidation, no schools would be closed or consolidated until the fall of 2006. The Superintendent deliberately began the school closure/consolidation discussion and process early to allow a long lead time for planning and for communicating with students, parents, and staff.

Following the board's vote in July, letters would be sent home to families at schools and programs affected by any changes. Staff meetings would also be held to honor association contracts and employment rights. The district is committed to communicating in an open, accurate and timely manner to assist in the transition.

6. What is your plan to improve marketing of schools and increase market share?

Seattle Public Schools has developed both an immediate and long-term marketing plan. Overall, public school market share in this city has remained relatively stable for more than 15 years. However, data also show that the district loses a significant number of students during the elementary to middle school transition.

Research is being conducted to determine why families are choosing to leave the district during the fourth and fifth grade years for private schools or for suburban school districts. By creating equity and quality programs at the middle school level, we hope to keep current elementary students in our system and attract those who have left.