While acknowledging the Olympia School District Board's autonomy over educational decisions, Mayor Dontae Payne said the city would continue engaging with district leaders on the school closure issue.
"I want to clarify that we have to walk a fine line because the Olympia School District does not answer to the Olympia City Council,” said Payne in addressing the contentious issue of potential closures being considered by the OSD. “We have to respect that there are different governing bodies making these decisions and also like them to respect that line if the situation were reversed.”
“We will continue to engage with our school board members around this difficult decision," Payne added.
The mayor mentioned that he and City Manager Jay Burney met and discussed with Board President Hilary Seidel and Superintendent Patrick Murphy.
"We are happy to continue engaging in a conversation with them around this to make them aware of what we are hearing from our community members on this side,” the mayor said.
On Tuesday, parents brought up the issue of the proposed closure of the two neighborhood elementary schools ––– Madison Elementary and McKenny Elementary ––– to the Olympia City Council.
Parent Kelsey Shaffer asked councilmembers to "stay curious about ways you can support your community through these times of change," expressing concern that the Olympia School District's consideration of school closure could significantly impact the community.
"Closing Madison and McKenny is in direct conflict with the land use and development goals of Olympia, particularly the goal related to readily accessible elementary school or place of public assembly," Shaffer added.
Jenny Borman asked the city council to support keeping all schools open. She mentioned that Madison was voted the best elementary school in the South Sound. McKenny has the highest elementary school rating among grade schools.
Borman emphasized that as a mother of two young children, one of whom is a student in the Olympia School District, the potential closure of schools would impact her family. Her family chose to move to Olympia five years ago based on its schools, community, and park location.
"Our neighborhood elementary schools are a vital connection point for new families in Olympia," Borman said. "I ask that you embrace this and support this."
Another parent, Bryan, informed the city council that the Olympia School District has decided to begin a process to close the schools.
"OSD has undertaken this hasty process with no consideration of the city's comprehensive plan of the eastside neighborhood associations, nor has it used any tools or process to consider equity, environmental impact, or long-term demographic and economic harm that come from closing schools," he said.
Bryan requested the city council to issue a formal declaration that asks the OSD to consider the impacts on multiple stakeholders and to weigh the city's comprehensive plan when making any decisions about closing schools.
"The future of our children, our neighborhood, the social and environmental fabric, and the future of Olympia lay in the balance. Please make a formal declaration that OSD not to close any schools without doing a better job of engaging our community," Bryan added.
Councilmember Jim Cooper suggested that while the city should take a moderate stance on the school district's decision, it would be reasonable to inquire about how the comprehensive plan is being considered. He wanted clarity around whether and how community engagement required by the comprehensive plan is reflected in the district's process.
Cooper councilmember also hopes the board will consider equity, public input, and the city's comprehensive plan in the school closure conversation.
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