Long-term planning effort underway at Olympia School District

Mapping out the future of schools at Olympia School District (OSD) will involve updating a strategic plan, putting forth a bond measure, and closing and consolidating schools. 

OSD Superintendent Patrick Murphy discussed the district’s long-term planning effort at an OSD Board of Directors  meeting on Aug. 13.

He said the plan is expected to help the district make thoughtful decisions on how to serve its students while preparing for the future.  

Strategic plan

The strategic plan update, bond planning and school closures are separate but connected efforts.  

“The strategic plan update, school closure and consolidation, and a bond don’t depend on one another, but they complement each other. We need to constantly revise and update our strategic plan to prepare students for the world of now and tomorrow and give our teachers and staff the best tools to do that,” states the district website.

The district is currently updating its Strategic Plan for the 2027-28 school year to focus on hands-on learning, collaboration, student voice, outdoor education, wellness, community partnerships and thoughtful, age-appropriate use of technology.  

“A lot of the stuff is in the district improvement plan, restorative practices, professional learning communities — it's not new. We are constantly talking about those things,” said Murphy at the board meeting.

Murphy also intends to convene a community planning committee this winter to disucss a proposed bond measure to address deferred maintenance needs while modernizing schools. 

Closing and consolidating schools is also part of the district’s long-term plan, as enrollment projections continue to point to enrollment decline, especially at the elementary school level.  

“If this is the first time you're hearing about the possibility of closure, consolidation that I will be recommending, I understand, well it seems quick and at the same time, I want to remind people that this is something we've been talking about for years,” said Murphy at the board meeting.

Compared to other school districts in Washington, Olympia operates more elementary schools and has smaller average elementary and middle school enrollments.

“Smaller schools are valued by many families and communities, but they also present financial and operational challenges because state funding is primarily based on the number of students served rather than the number of buildings operated,” states the district website. 

Murphy said a formal process following Policy 6883 (Closure of Facilities) will be involved, and the district has consistently sought public input in the past several budget cycles through surveys and community engagement. 

During the last budget process in spring, Murphy mentioned the reduction plan, which removed family liaisons, is not going to solve the “structural problem” within the school district given its enrollment. 

Public comment 

Some parents and residents registered for public comment at the meeting. 

Local resident Erika Lari said the plan was not laid out in the agenda and was being forced through in the “dead of summer” without consent of the district’s constituents. 

“This district seems to think it's an option to deal with the needs, wants and emotions of your students, your families and community members,” Lari said. 

Lari added she would vote in favor of a bond from the district if it is used to keep schools open, and against it if it closes schools. 

OSD parent Chelsee Heley said the district has not tracked unenrollment data of families leaving OSD schools for private schools.  

“I know at least 20 families who have left OSD elementary schools for private school, or chosen private school over OSD for their incoming kindergartner. None of the families who left OSD were ever given an unenrollment feedback form,” Heley said. 

The district laid out the school closure and consolidation timeline at an earlier work session.