Seattle Schools' proposed closures trimmed from 21 to just 5 schools after backlash

Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Brent Jones announced Tuesday he's developed a new plan to address the district's nearly $100 million budget deficit next year — and it includes closing only five schools.

The update comes a week after Jones pressed pause on the district's previous proposals to close up to 21 schools, amid widespread community outcry.

RELATED: Seattle Public Schools cancels closure meetings, is revisiting plan

In a message to families Tuesday, Jones said he heard the community "loud and clear," and he understands "the many valid concerns you have about the plan in its current form."

Jones did not reveal which five schools may be on the chopping block. He said the district plans to unveil preliminary recommendations by the end of October.

But Jones did say Tuesday that K-8 and option schools — including those with specialized programs, like deaf and hard of hearing or dual-language immersion — will be spared from next year's closures.

RELATED: Seattle names 21 public schools to possibly close

"We know we need the support of our students, families, and staff to uplift a large-scale change such as this," he wrote. "My hope is that we can work together to re-establish a level of trust that allows us to move forward in a way that honors our school communities."

Jones also hinted at the possibility of more school closures down the road.

"What we learn from this initial set of schools will guide our future action," he wrote.

Over the next few weeks, Jones said his team will determine which five schools they recommend for closure, and a third-party expert will "validate the evaluation process to ensure transparency and accountability.”

When deciding which schools should shutter, Jones said the district will consider factors like building condition, learning environment, and whether the school is able to hold 400-plus students — all criteria officials used for the previous recommendations.

Jones also emphasized this approach will prioritize minimizing disruption for students and staff, and maintaining student access to specialized service models.

Still, Jones stressed that the district faces “very real budget challenges” — next year, and in the years to come. SPS has lost nearly 5,000 students over the last five years, a drop of about 9%, and school funding is tied to enrollment. District officials have also long blamed chronic underfunding at the state level.

For months, administrators have said downsizing the district’s 70-plus elementary schools would allow them to operate more efficiently and equitably — and save money.

Officials estimated saving about $1.5 million per closed school building. If the district shutters five schools, that would amount to about $7.5 million of savings — a fraction of next year’s nearly $100 million shortfall.

As of Tuesday, it’s unclear how Jones’ plan will bridge the gap. But officials have acknowledged in the past that, in addition to closures, staffing reductions and other belt-tightening measures will likely be necessary.

Since the district first began discussing school closures, community backlash has been swift and loud. Hundreds of parents, kids, grandparents, activists, and former school board members flooded a school board meeting earlier this month to voice their opposition to school closures.

At that meeting, several board members also pressed administrators for more details on the plan, and questioned whether the district could pull off widespread closures in such a short time.

RELATED: 'Don't do this to our kids': Hundreds of Seattle parents rally against school closures

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In a statement Monday, before Jones’ latest update, All Together for Seattle Schools, a grassroots community activist group, said their feelings about closures haven’t changed.

“We continue to oppose the closure of any schools or program cuts as a solution to a budget deficit, as there is ample evidence from across the country that school closures harm student outcomes,” the group said. “This includes any proposal that would close fewer total schools, or space out the closure of as many as 21 schools over a few years.”

Instead, All Together for Seattle Schools called on the district and board to “join us in advocating to the legislature that the state close school district budget deficits in Seattle and across the state as part of the constitutional responsibility to amply fund our public schools.”