Concerned about school closures due to Seattle Public Schools budget cuts? You can be part of the conversation about the Seattle schools budget and what schools need to thrive during a series of community meetings in August.
The school district stresses the meetings are not about the possibility of future school closures to balance a projected budget shortfall in 2024-25. Instead they are aimed at gathering feedback from students, families, staff, and community partners in preface to the district’s annual budgeting process about what resources are needed to make strong schools, district officials stress.
“We are developing a shared understanding of what resources, programs, services, and learning experiences make up a well-resourced schools,” the meeting invite reads.
What that term “well-resourced” means was not outlined by the district. SPS leaders say they want public input to help determine that definition — and to hear from students and families about what resources, programs and services they believe are needed for a school to be successful.
More programs and services are unlikely, no matter what kids and parents say they want. SPS dug itself out of a $131 million hole for the 2023-24 school year. However, district officials have said future school closures could save the district millions and help make-up a projected $104.4 million shortfall projected for the 2024-25 school year. With that possibility hanging in the air, it is likely that some parents and kids in attendance at the community meetings will raise the question of closures.
The first meeting will take place Tuesday night at Garfield High School.
“Information and recommendations gathered during this [public meetings] will be shared with the SPS community this fall,” the district wrote in the invitation. “Thank you for being a part of building a definition of well-resourced schools. Your feedback is essential!”
Upcoming community meeting locations and dates
Central: Garfield High School commons (note this event location has moved from John Stanford Center), Tuesday, Aug. 8, 6 p.m.
Interpretation will be available in Cantonese, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese. Location: 400 23rd Ave. Seattle, WA 98122
Southwest: Madison Middle School commons/lunchroom, Thursday, Aug. 10, 6 p.m.
Interpretation will be available in: Spanish and Vietnamese. Location: 3429 45th Ave. SW Seattle, 98116
Southeast: South Shore PreK-8 rotunda/lunchroom, Monday, Aug. 14, 6 p.m.
Interpretation will be available in: Cantonese, Somali, and Spanish. Location: 4800 S Henderson St. Seattle, 98118
Northeast: Nathan Hale High School commons/lunchroom, Tuesday, Aug. 15, 6 p.m.
Interpretation will be available in: ASL and Spanish. Location: 10750 30th Ave. NE Seattle, 98125
Northwest: Robert Eagle Staff Middle School commons, Thursday, Aug. 17, 6 p.m.
Interpretation will be available in: Cantonese and Spanish Location: 1330 N 90th St. Seattle, 98103
Online: Teams Meeting, Tuesday, Aug. 29, 5:30 p.m.
Interpretation will be available in: Amharic, ASL, Cantonese, Somali, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
A link to this meeting will be shared by Monday, Aug. 28.
To learn more about the Well-Resourced Schools Community Conversations go the SPS webpage dedicated to them.
More at Seattle’s Child:
Labeling children with special needs? The pros and cons
The age game: When is your child ready for kindergarten
Culturally relevant and multilingual books picked by students and teachers
