SEATTLE — Outside Sacajawea Elementary School Wednesday morning, dozens of families and students gathered to oppose the potential closure of their neighborhood school.
“This rally should show the school board how much love and support there is in the community, and there are other creative solutions they should be able to find,” Sacajawea parent of four Joshua Newman said.
Four schools, including Sacajawea, are on the proposed closure list. The board of Seattle Public Schools will make the final decision in January, so families feel like they have time to change the district’s mind.
Some of the elementary students sang a school song with lyrics like, “at Sacajawea, Sacajawea no one’s left behind.”
“I love all of the teachers here. I don’t want it to close,” one student said.
Under the proposal, students at North Beach Elementary would move to Viewlands Elementary. Sacajawea would consolidate with John Rogers Elementary. Stevens Elementary students would move to Montlake Elementary and in West Seattle students at Sanislo Elementary would move to Highland Park Elementary.
“Every time they close schools, some people will leave. Enrollment goes down. The budget is tighter, and it just doesn’t work,” one parent from Green Lake Elementary said.
Green Lake was one of the 21 proposed school closures last month. The district adjusted that proposal to just the four schools.
The district said it is forced into closures as it works to mitigate a $94 million budget deficit.
“We have work to do,” State Senator Javier Valdez said.
The state senator that represents Seattle attended the early morning rally at Sacajawea.
“It’s our job as the state legislature in the 2025 session to do our part and to make sure that we’re going to bring additional revenue for our schools, so this doesn’t have to occur,” Valdez said.
Consolidating schools means bigger class sizes. Families fear that will impact student’s learning and safety.
“The kids just won’t get the support and attention that they need,” Newman said.
District officials are meeting with families from the schools impacted before making the final decision in January.