Community protests possible closure of Boston Harbor Elementary

After a series of budget meetings to remedy its budget deficit, the Olympia School Board faced criticisms on the potential closure of Boston Harbor Elementary School, one of the district’s smallest schools by enrollment.

According to the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) data, 176 students are enrolled in the elementary school during the School Year 2022-2023.

During a meeting last Thursday, October 26, the public showed up to appeal against the community school’s potential closure.

Community’s sentiments on the possible closure and conflict of interest

Ben Higgins, a member of Olympia School District's (OSD) Facility Efficiency Review Committee, complained about the board not using the community to focus on making schools more efficient.

“We were trying to make schools more efficient, and in our process of doing this, we have been instructed to stay away from special programs and their facilities,” Higgins said. “I cannot stand by the idea that we are going to close neighborhood schools for families and children that don't have another option, all the while the special schools and programs remain untouched one more time.”

“The problem is: when you outline, when you take out special services and programs, you're immunizing those schools that have those, and you're not looking at the dollars and cents of financial sustainability,” said Shannon, another public commenter.

Higgins added that the district should not close the community schools just because parents chose to send their children to campuses with special programs, which causes low enrolment in these schools.

“It is every family's right, including members of the board, on where they choose to send their children to learn,” added Higgins. “What is not the board's right is to tell the community what it wants. The community has been very clear about what it wants the community wants -- schools near where they live.”

Shannon also expressed support for right-sizing the district based on enrollment and financial data but criticized the current charter, wherein only six to eight meetings were scheduled to do a complete right-sizing.

“That's insanely problematic in the fact that when you look at other studies of districts that do this on a continual basis, they can't do this process within six to eight weeks and make recommendations related to closures of schools,” Shannon said.

Penny, another commenter, raised that the OSD must have a policy for board or committee members to list personal relationships to avoid conflict of interest.

“It has come to my attention that there is a voting committee member who is not on the committee participation list on the website who is directly related to a board member, and it's a board member who has gone on record and how they feel that Boston Harbor should be one of the schools to close,” said Penny.

Board director's child enters committee, tension forms between directors

Tensions intensified when OSD District 2 Director Talauna Reed wanted to comment but OSD President Darcy Huffman interrupted.

Huffman addressed the comment against the Facility Efficiency Review Committee, wherein she explained the selection process across all categories and reminded the crowd that they do not publish student names on the roster to protect the minors.

As Huffman was speaking, she mentioned the full name of the student in question, who was revealed to be OSD Board Vice President Hilary Seidel’s son. Huffman emphasized that Seidel “had nothing to do with appointing him.”

“We reviewed the applicants looking for as much diversity. The idea that you would attack one of our students because you believe that he was appointed to make closing Boston Harbor Elementary School a priority is absurd,” said Huffman.

Reed responded shortly that the commenter did not attack nor mention the student but questioned the committee's process.

“I think what you miss is that no one was criticizing the student. What I heard was him questioning the process, and that is their right to do it. Just like we have a duty, an obligation to go for the process that is transparent,” Reed pointed out.

Reed urged Huffman to ensure that processes are transparent, have full community engagement, and with no bias – intentional or unintentional. She added that everyone involved must have access to the same data and have an opportunity to get their questions answered.

“Be above reproach and you wouldn't be questioned,” said Reed. “We answer to the community, not each other.”

OSD’s statement on the closure

OSD Executive Director of Communications and Community Relations Susan Gifford explained in an email that nothing has been finalized yet and the committee will still meet next month before sending a recommendation to the school board.

“The School Facility Efficiency Review Citizens Advisory Committee continues to meet and explore options for school facility efficiency,” Gifford wrote in the email. “There have been no committee recommendations or decisions made. The committee is expected to make a recommendation to the school board in November on possible solutions.”

After receiving the recommendation, the school board intends to have feedback opportunities for the entire community in November before deciding on the next steps.