Tuesday, October 20, 2026
A proposal to shutter LP Brown Elementary School in Olympia was questioned by a number of people who attended a recent public hearing on the issue.
People voiced their concerns during the hearing on on Oct. 15 at LP Brown. The event was the Olympia School Distric's (OSD) second public hearing related to proposed closures of McKenny Elementary School, Madison Elementary School and LP Brown.
OSD Board of Directors President Jess Tourtellotte-Palumbo asked commenters to maintain a respectful environment. The board also considers written comments alongside the testimony provided from the in-person and virtual hearing.
Scout, a fifth grade student at LP Brown, does not want the school to close because it would mean losing friendships and routines.
“Our school is more than just a building; it is a community where students, teachers and families come together. So much love, hard work and effort have gone into making this school special. Please do not take that away from us so that we can keep learning, growing and making memories together,” Scout said.
Parents also commented on how OSD policy leaves important questions unanswered.
“I understand that the district faces difficult decisions, but Policy 6883 leaves too many important questions unanswered for a decision with such lasting consequences. … We are being asked to accept school consolidation where class sizes will grow and support staff will decrease,” said local resident and parent Nicole Gilmore.
Aimee Fulton, a former LP Brown student and now a second grade teacher at the school, advocated for economically disadvantaged students.
“Approximately 6 out of every 10 LP Brown students are economically disadvantaged. These children need more than just a classroom; they need stability, they need trusted adults, they need a school community that understands their needs," Fulton said. "How can this school even be considered for closure without fully understanding what these children stand to lose?
She added that the district has under projected LP Brown for the last five years because the school always comes in above enrollment estimates.
“Our community and our school deserves accurate numbers and transparent answers before any decision is being made. These children did not choose their circumstances; they should not bear the cost of the decisions made by other adults who make poor decisions,” Fulton said.
LP Brown Principal Sean Shaughnessy addressed attendees at the public hearing in order to express gratitude.
“I want to say thank you for showing up tonight to share your perspective. This process is complicated; it's complicated for all of us for a variety of different reasons,” he said.
Shaughnessy said the three principals of the targeted schools — McKenny’s Michael Havens, Madison’s Domenico Spatola-Knoll and himself — are trying to create a “consistent experience” for all the public hearings.
“The decision to attend or not attend the public hearings was something that was left entirely ... to the decision of the three principals at the schools,” Shaughnessy said.
His decision to attend the hearing was to make sure the night focused on affected people and interested parties to share perspectives on the closure and consolidation process.
“I talked to the kids every day about being respectful, engaged, and in control, and I think there is no better place in time than right here and right now for us to model those expectations,” Shaughnessy said.
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OlyMamaLlama
So perfectly Sean to model respect, and I'm so thankful that the majority of speakers chose to follow that norm. LP Brown is a school where magic happens, and I hope the school board finds a way to keep it open.
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TheVirtualOne
It’s an emotional moment when a school is slated for closure. Unfortunately, demographics and finances are the driving force for this closure and others, here and across the country. Unless something is changed in the way schools are supported financially, this is what happens. I wish all in these school communities the best as they transition to their respective new destinations. A valuable life lesson for all in accepting and embracing necessary change.
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jimlazar
School closures are difficult. The United States has very low fertility. The champions for Zero Population Growth are succeeding. A byproduct of this is that the Olympia School District is forecasting a decline in student enrollment -- persisting for many years.
It costs a lot to keep a school open with low enrollment. That takes away budget from education enhancement. The choice is to close a few schools, or to offer an inadequate education to all students at all schools.
Take a look at the enrollment forecast, in particular Figure 14, the district wide forecast (The Jolt won't let me paste in a graphic): https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kEei5UMGb-D8xs028QGhfd9rCMr4zl2H/view?usp=sharing
Even in the "high growth" case, the student enrollment does not increase over the decade.
And that forecast was done in 2024.
Now, the President has pushed a couple million people out of the country, and that will further suppress student enrollment. The President is creating obstacles to immigration by people with skills we desperately need in our community (nursing, construction trades, computer science). That will further suppress enrollment. And the high inflation and high interest rates resulting from the President's war with Iran and huge deficit due to tax breaks for billionaires are making it unaffordable for people to have kids, and that will further suppress enrollment. So, the 2024 forecast is probably going to be revised DOWN some more.
I do not have an opinion about WHICH schools should be closed. I certainly sympathize with the parents and students who may be losing their neighborhood schools. But I do admire the Olympia School District for taking this issue up with the public, being transparent about the problem, and seeking the best of several undesirable options.
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