Seattle may not close elementary schools, after all

In a stunning reversal, Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Brent Jones said Tuesday he may not recommend closing schools, after all.

The announcement comes after months of public outcry since Jones first unveiled a plan in September to close up to 21 elementary and K-8 schools – a list he later trimmed to four elementary schools: North Beach, Sacajawea, Sanislo, and Stevens.

“The school board gave me direction to develop a preliminary recommendation (to close schools),” Jones said at Tuesday’s board meeting, when he was expected to give an update on the consolidation plans.

“It is now clear that that direction is shifting, and I'm considering withdrawing my preliminary recommendation,” he said.

Jones added he needs time to consider whether he’ll bring this proposal back to the board or develop a new one — if he does.

It’s not yet clear whether the legally-required school closure hearings, slated to begin early next month, will go on as scheduled.

At Tuesday’s school board meeting, dozens of parents, students, educators, and community members rallied against the proposed closures and spoke out against the plans during public comment.

Afterward, two board members expressed unease with the plans in their current form, because they fail to explain how consolidations would help achieve the district’s main goal of improving academic outcomes for all students.

Through tears, board President Liza Rankin apologized to the audience for the long, bumpy process since the board first moved to consider closures a year ago.

“I’m so angry to be right here, in a completely preventable place,” Rankin said. “Your questions haven't been answered. Our questions haven't been answered.”

This is a developing story.