Parents, students weigh in on proposed closure of McKenny Elementary School in Olympia

Local residents sounded off on the proposed closure of McKenny Elementary School at a public hearing in Olympia, with some people asking for it to stay open.

The Olympia School District (OSD) held the public hearing at McKenny on Monday, Oct. 12. It was the first of three hearings on the proposed closures of Madison Elementary School, McKenny Elementary School and LP Brown Elementary School. 

McKenny Principal Michael Havens did not attend the public hearing, but was present before it started. The OSD Board of Directors and Superintendent Patrick Murphy were in attendance. 

Murphy recognized Havens for his work through the years.

“I want to acknowledge Principal Havens, who has led this school with great care and dedication for many years. Many of you know he was here earlier this evening welcoming students and families as they arrived, and while he won't be staying for the testimony, he will be back at school tomorrow morning as always, supporting students, staff and learning. And I know how deeply he cares about this school, its community and I wanted to make sure we acknowledge that tonight,” Murphy said. 

Nonprofit OSD4All pointed out that Havens led the McKenny community to sing a song against the first round of proposed school closures.

“These are the nights when students, families, staff, and neighbors are asked to share their most vulnerable stories, to defend their school’s existence and explain its value. For teachers and staff, their livelihoods and careers are part of what hangs in the balance. Wouldn’t you expect their principals to be standing alongside them?” wrote OSD4All in a social media post.

OSD4All added everything they know about OSD principals shows “they care deeply about their kids and their people” and that the district leadership needs to explain what directions the principals have received. 

According to an email the district sent in response to The JOLT’s request for an explanation, the OSD denied a claim that Murphy directed principals not to attend the hearings. 

Public hearing 

Most of the commenters expressed dismay at the school closure proposal, including students, and urged the board to reconsider. 

“At McKenny, we belong together.… I hear there's a documentary in Japan. There was a school with only one student, and they kept a school for that kid. If they can keep a school open for one student, why can't we keep our McKenny School open for … more than 300 students? Please do not close our school,” said Ben, a fourth grade student at McKenny. 

Parents also emphasized the closure process is the board’s responsibility, and they are questioning the board’s ability to carry out the process. 

“Repeated closure threats drain families, unsettle children, and damage trust. Our students and our staff deserve stability. You have a responsibility to protect it. We call it McKenny magic because our students experience care and kindness every day here,” said Colette Paulson, a parent of three students who attended McKenny. 

Other commenters requested the board resign alongside Murphy.

Parents also comforted students, who expressed their thoughts and opinions. 

“To the students, this is not your burden to carry. You did not create this situation and it is not your responsibility to fix it. The adults in this room are responsible for doing the heavy lifting, for asking hard questions, finding solutions, and making sure that your needs are not lost in this process,” said parent Jessie Moreno-Graham. 

Some members who registered to comment virtually on Zoom were initially not able to comment due to technical difficulties. Most virtual commenters shared their comments during the later half of the meeting. 

OSD Board President Jess Tourtellotte-Palumbo said the board’s responsibility during the hearing was to listen and to make sure everyone who wishes to speak had the opportunity to be heard. 

“We recognize this is a difficult process for many of our community members and we know how deeply students, families, staff and community members care about McKenny,” Tourtellotte-Palumbo said.

The purpose of the hearing was to listen to the public before the board makes a final decision on the school closures in November. The district is holding a closure-related hearing at LP Brown Elementary School at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 15.