Last public hearing on school closures held at Madison Elementary School 

Madison Elementary School students and parents had strong feelings about the proposed closure of the school at a public hearing in Olympia.

The public hearing was the last of three that took place over the past week to give people a chance to weigh in on the proposed closures of McKenny Elementary School, LP Brown Elementary School and Madison.

The hearings were required before the Olympia School District (OSD) Board of Directors decides on whether to shutter the three schools, as part of a plan to right its financial ship.

Madison Principal Domenico Spatola-Knoll thanked the people who showed up at the public hearing at Madison on Monday, Oct. 19, saying the night was an opportunity for families and the community to share thoughts. 

“As your principal, I have the privilege of working with an amazing group of students, families, and staff I see every day, how much our families care about their children, their education and their school community,” Spatola-Knoll said. 

He said the turnout was a testament to how much families care and love Madison. Spatola-Knoll also thanked the students in attendance, calling them “Lion Cubs,” which is the school's student moniker. 

“A special thank you to our Lion Cubs who have joined us this evening. This is your school and your voices matter too,” Spatola-Knoll said. 

Emilene, a student at Madison, pleaded with the board of directors to keep the school open for the community and families. 

“This school means way more than a bunch of money. Madison should stay open because it is a community school and it is for every type of family. Please keep Madison open,” Emilene said. 

A student also emphasized a desire to play with other students without being in a place with a lot more people. 

“Recess is one of my favorite parts of the day. … If I have to go to a different school, there will be too many kids to have recess all together. I want to play with my friends in higher grades. I am worried the line to … get lunch will be too long and we won't have time to eat,” said Wally, a third grade student at Madison. 

Hannah Middlebrook, parent of a student, took aim at the district for seeking to permanently displace 740 children and closing three public schools based on an analysis that “does not come close to justifying the sacrifice.” 

Middlebrook added school closure headlines across the country do not make her feel reassured that the district is on the right path, as there are warning signs of public education being eroded and district leadership is “holding the door wide open to that erosion" in Olympia. 

“We are not your adversaries, and our anger is not the problem. Harness it. We are ready to fight alongside you. Stop asking this community what we are willing to sacrifice and start showing us what you are willing to fight for,” Middlebrook said. 

Another parent spoke while playing music on loudspeakers to demonstrate the decibel level of a classroom in a consolidated school. 

“The two first grade classes at McKenny have 26 first graders in each class. According to Stanford, the average spike noise level for 23 6 year olds playing is 80 to 87 decibels. … I can only imagine that the classes will become more crowded if we move ahead with school consolidation,” said Naomi Mork, a mother of a first grade student at Madison. 

She added children cannot learn in that kind of environemnt, and the district is asking them to do something impossible. 

The board will vote on the proposed closures in November.

There is a board meeting on Thursday, Oct. 22, where Superintendent Patrick Murphy will answer the board of director's questions that stem from an Oct. 8 meeting related to the proposed closures.