1. United States
2. Wash.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my concern regarding the proposed school closures within Seattle Public Schools (SPS). The plans, as outlined by the district, suggest closing as many as 21 elementary schools by the 2025-26 school year in an attempt to address a significant budget deficit. While I understand the financial challenges SPS faces, I believe these closures will have detrimental and lasting effects on our children and the broader community. I urge you to advocate against these closures and support alternative solutions that prioritize the well-being of our students. The proposal to shutter so many elementary schools would not only disrupt the educational experience but also sever the close-knit relationships that are essential to student success. These schools are more than just places of learning; they are integral parts of our communities, offering stability, safety, and a sense of belonging—especially as we continue to recover from the challenges brought on by the pandemic. Parents have repeatedly raised concerns about the academic and social consequences of school closures. Research from cities like Chicago, which implemented similar mass closures, shows that students experienced significant long-term learning loss because of closures. The consolidation of students into larger, underfunded schools is likely to increase class sizes, reduce individualized attention, and worsen educational disparities. Students needing specialized services, such as speech therapy or psychological support, will face even more challenges as providers struggle to meet the needs of an increased number of students. As the parent of a special needs child who has an IEP and receives SPED services, this is of particular concern to me. The proposed closures, though focused on elementary schools, impact more than just K-5. Since a number of the schools targeted for closure serve K-8 populations, these consolidations would also increase the number of students in our already crowded middle schools, many of which are operating at capacity and are using portables to house learner overflow. Additionally, there are concerns about the lack of community input. The Seattle School Board appears powerless, and many parents feel that the Superintendent and other administrators are not fully engaging with families to find alternatives to these drastic measures. I understand that SPS is facing significant financial challenges, but I believe there are less harmful ways to address the budget deficit. I urge you to work with district officials to seek additional funding from the state and explore alternative solutions that do not involve closing schools. Our children deserve better, and their education should not be compromised in the name of cost-saving. Please stand with the families, students, and educators who are advocating to keep our schools open. I hope you will take our concerns seriously and fight for the future of Seattle’s children.