(The Center Square) – Seattle Public Schools revealed two potential school consolidation plans to save the district funding as it faces a $100 million budget deficit.
The potential closures are due to the district’s budget deficit that has resulted from weaker revenue streams and continually-decreasing enrollment.
The first option the Seattle Public Schools Board of Directors will consider is closing 21 elementary and K-8 schools and operating 52 attendance area elementary schools with no K-8 or option elementary schools throughout the district. This is estimated to save $31.5 million.
The other option would close 17 schools and operate 55 attendance-area elementary schools and one K-8 school per region. This would save the district $25.5 million.
Since the second option saves less money, the district said it would need to offset approximately $6 million with other budget cuts in order to address the $100 million budget deficit.
According to the district, closing a school could save Seattle Public Schools between $750,000 to $2 million.