Olympia School District finalizing school closure FAQ, but board has more questions
.jpg "OSD is finalizing an FAQ page based on feedback from board directors and the public regarding the district’s inquiry into closing Madison and McKenny elementary schools by next school year.")
Olympia School District Superintendent Patrick Murphy said the district is finalizing an FAQ page based on feedback from the school board and the public regarding the district’s proposal to close Madison and McKenny elementary schools by next school year.
But some board members asked Murphy for more information at the board’s Jan. 4 meeting. The board has until March to vote on a plan to address a $3.5 million budget deficit.
Murphy said much of the information gathered for the frequently asked questions (FAQ) webpage came from responses to a public survey that went out to district residents after the last meeting. It included questions about the district’s budgetary priorities such as the arts, athletics, central office, custodial needs, academic programs, and grounds and maintenance.
The FAQ also will include what happens to a facility if it’s closed, what happens to services and programs in those schools, and how equity is driving these decisions. Murphy said it also will include how the district is advocating at the legislative level to solve the budgetary issues without needing to close schools.
It will also include a timeline for decision making by the board, explain the differences between the district’s budgets and revenue sources, how staff would be arranged in the event of consolidation, and how those affected schools’ boundaries would look, Murphy said.
Murphy said school and classroom size questions also will be addressed, but he wanted to let the public know ahead of time that class sizes will stay the same throughout this process. He said staff are looking into ways to support families and students navigating changes.
Board member Scott Clifthorne asked the superintendent to extend the deadline for the survey to give OSD residents more time to digest the information that will be presented in the FAQ. He said the board needs the public to specifically weigh in on budget thinning options that include consolidation and program cuts.
Clifthorne said there’s more than $3.5 million in discretionary choices the board makes, so it’s worth looking at other options.
“People don’t want to hear that if we do not choose consolidation, we are choosing to eliminate operational and programming expenses, and you have to pick,” he said. “So what’s it gonna be? Is it art, PE and music? Is it our additional social workers?”
Board member Jess Tourtellotte-Palumbo asked that more equity points be included in the FAQ. She said if there are going to be questions about consolidation versus program and operational cuts, there needs to be a comparable equity analysis of both options.
Clifthorne asked that teachers be included in the equity analysis, including the number of years of experience in the event of involuntary transfers.
Lastly, board member Maria Flores said there needs to be more information on the options students at the closing schools will have in terms of special programs. She said schools such as ORLA and Lincoln will see their demographics shift, and it could be helpful to have a better understanding of where students are moving from to ensure the proper programs are available.
The next school board meeting will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 11. However, school facility efficiency is not on the agenda.
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