SEATTLE — Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Brent Jones is no longer recommending school closures and consolidations for next year as the district continues to grapple with a budget shortfall.
In a letter to the community, Jones states there "is no longer a pathway for this approach" for the 2025-26 school year. The board will vote on whether to approve the decision Tuesday, Nov. 26.
The district faces a $94 million budget shortfall. An independent budget analysis showed that closing the four schools by the 2025-26 school year would save $5.57 million, which is 6% of the budget deficit.
"The projected $5.5 million savings from the proposed closures are significant," Jones wrote. "However, we agree that achieving these savings should not come at the cost of dividing our community."
The proposal underwent several revisions before ultimately being withdrawn. In September, district leaders announced that up to 21 schools could close. By October, that number had been whittled down to four.
The proposal to close and consolidate schools sparked outcry from the community.
Enrollment has been on the decline since it peaked in 1964 with 94,042 students. Between 2019 and 2023, Seattle Public Schools has seen enrollment decrease by about 4,900 students. As of October 1, there were 49,240 students enrolled in Seattle Public Schools.
Student headcount is the primary driver for state school funding. The district insists the enrollment crisis has been partly to blame for a $94 million budget gap.
Jones states the district will focus on addressing the budget shortfall through "legislative and levy renewal advocacy," along with "pursuing operational efficiencies."
KING 5's Mia Hunt and Olivia Sullivan contributed to this story.