Updated 1/18/23
In a comment by Clyde Hill Elementary: if closures are implemented and Wilburton Elementary closes, those students would be absorbed by Clyde Hill Elementary. Currently there is no open house planned by Clyde Hill Elementary for community input and comment.
Original Story:
Last week Bellevue School District (BSD) announced, that due to declining enrollment, the school board will consider closing and consolidating three of seven elementary schools. No final decisions have been made as they research options. How could this affect Clyde Hill Elementary School?
BSD commented in a statement:
“These schools have experienced the greatest enrollment decline to date and include Ardmore, Eastgate, Enatai, Phantom Lake, Sherwood Forest, Woodridge and Wilburton elementaries. The next step the district will take is to hold a series of staff engagement sessions and community open houses at the seven impacted schools. These engagement opportunities provide stakeholders an opportunity to share with staff the impact on their individual school communities. Impacted schools will receive an invitation next week from their building leadership to attend an open house. Community open houses will take place the week of January 23, 2023.”
Due to a decline in enrollment, it results in less money from the state for each affected school. We don’t have all the answers as BSD is researching options. It is not clear if there will be an open house at Clyde Hill Elementary school. Questions and concerns are swirling in the community with parents.
Some questions in the Clyde Hill community regarding potential elementary school closures:
- Will BSD redraw school boundaries?
- Why is a 10% drop in enrollment at some schools enough to consider closures?
- Will this strain other schools in class size and other onsite resources?
- Will BSD try and recruit other students from outside BSD to boost enrollment and state funds?
- How many schools could potentially be consolidated and closed?
- Why is enrollment down in certain schools and not others?
- Will property tax rates change for certain areas because of changes?
- If adjustments are made, will there be long-term financial sustainability to support our youth?
- With no timeline set for consolidating schools, will this impact students and parents in 2023 or 2024?
- Do some schools that could be closed still have debt still attached to buildings?
- How will transportation accommodate for students and parents traveling farther to attend school?
- How will schools be used in future if empty and closed?
- Clyde Hill Elementary School listed in presentation as “limited alternative” and “full neighboring schools”. What does this mean for Clyde Hill Elementary students and parents?
Planning for the future, written statement concerning potential school closures: Link BSD Written Statement
BSD Demographic study video presentation regarding potential school consolidation and closures. Video Link: BSD Video Presentation