Superintendent answers community questions about Olympia school closures

Last Thursday, December 7, Olympia School District (OSD) Board Superintendent Patrick Murphy answered community members' questions regarding the district’s planned school consolidations.

“We received over 400 questions,” said Murphy. “Two main things that we wanted to speak to you tonight were the questions that came up from the community, and then the idea of what reductions could be made that are sustainable.”

Murphy first addressed what will happen to school facilities once closed.

Murphy explained that there are many possibilities under consideration for the properties, such as community partnerships, early learning centers, or sale of the land for other purposes.

“Hopes to continue” school services and programs elsewhere

Murphy also answered questions about school services and programs that will be affected by the proposed closures, such as Jefferson Middle School’s Jefferson Accelerated Math and Science (JAMS) program, acknowledging the value of these programs and indicating that the board hopes to continue them those elsewhere.

Murphy also reiterated the working schedule for the consolidation, with decisions about closures finalized by March.

“December 14th is when we narrow which are those schools considered for closure [or] consolidation, and then there would be a process in January and February where there would be hearings with those school communities, and then by around March there would be an actual vote on whether or not to do that,” said Murphy.

Considering budget cuts

The table shows the reductions that are being considered in lieu of consolidations.

The community also had several questions about budget reductions in other areas as an alternative to closures. Murphy explained that the board is already considering budget cuts but has not fully implemented them yet.

Some of the budget cuts considered would include increasing class size in grades 6-12, eliminating bus monitors, reducing elementary librarians, and reducing executive director positions.

The board will meet again on Thursday, December 14, at which time it will possibly vote on a selection of impacted schools.

The public may email comments to osd-schoolboard@osd.wednet.edu, mail feedback to Olympia School District, ATTN: Board of Directors, 111 Bethel St. NE, Olympia, WA 98506, or sign up in advance to comment in person at the next meeting. The linked virtual sign-in form for public comment is generally open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. the day before regular board meetings; for the upcoming meeting on the 14th, attendees who wish to speak will need to sign up on the 13^th.