This is a new segment called "What Do Other Districts Do?" In this episode, we discuss how other districts handle school closures and how often other districts have school board meetings.

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In 2005, Seattle Public Schools was projecting falling enrollment, and over the ensuing years, 11 schools were closed. But it turned out that the projections were wrong, and SPS needed to reopen most of the buildings. New Seattle Hall Pass contributor Dawson Nichols spoke to four people who were there - Kay Smith-Blum, Leslie Harris, Sue Peters, and Dora Taylor.

Note that these interviews were recorded before the June 10 school board meeting had been moved to June 26.

See our very extensive Show Notes for lots more information.

Disclaimer: Seattle Hall Pass features a variety of voices. Each person’s opinions are their own.

Contact us: Send corrections, suggestions, and comments to hello@seattlehallpass.org or speak.seattlehallpass.org.

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Music by Sarah, the Illstrumentalist, logo by Carmen Lau-Woo.
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See our Show Notes
Contact us hello@seattlehallpass.org

School Closure Community Engagement Meetings, May 28 - June 1. In this episode of the Seattle Hall Pass podcast, Christie Robertson and Jane Tunks Demel discuss the recent community meetings held by Seattle Public Schools regarding the proposed closure of 20 out of 73 elementary schools by the 2025-26 school year. They report on the first meeting at Roosevelt High School, which was poorly received due to lack of information and engagement, and then discuss the subsequent meetings at Garfield and Chief Sealth High Schools, where the district provided more details and answered questions from the community. The hosts share key information from the meetings, including estimated cost savings, enrollment projections, and the district's rationale for the closures, while also highlighting some of the community's concerns and unanswered questions.

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Music by Sarah, the Illstrumentalist, logo by Carmen Lau-Woo.
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