Video: List of proposed Seattle school closures grows

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SEATTLE – The list of proposed school closures in the city of Seattle grew Wednesday night.

Rainier Beach High School is now on the list. It could be combined with Cleveland High School. Another elementary school in the area may be closed, bringing the number of proposed closures from seven to nine.

Some teachers at Rainier Beach High say they are sickened by the news.

"It's certainly a major step back," art teacher Aaron Jefferson said. "Even just the suggestion of is going to make more kids coming here - which is what we've been trying to do, raise enrollment - now kids are going to be like 'oh the school's closing.'"

Even as parents band together to save their schools, the Seattle School Board will soon have to sharpen its ax to propose even deeper cuts to other areas.

The proposed Seattle school budget gap has exploded into a canyon and many parents who packed a school board meeting Wednesday night disagree with how the superintendent proposes to bridge it.

"Bottom line is to have stronger schools," Superintendent Maria Goodloe-Johnson said. "We have to be more effective and efficient, with quality programs and access all across the city,"

In addition to closing schools, the Superintendent proposes relocating many others programs. In addition, a number of programs, including the African American Academy, would go away even if the building stays open to house new programs.

But even those proposed cuts fail to make up the enormous amount of cash needed.

The school board heard how the previous projected $24 million shortfall has now skyrocketed to projected $37 million, based on the state's economic woes and the projected school closures are expected to save only an estimated $3.6 million.

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Superintendent Maria Goodloe-Johnson

The district's financial experts predict the new higher projected budget shortage means Seattle schools now must identify where to cut an additional $10.2 million.

Protests have blocked school closures in the past but the superintendent says it's not going to work this time around.

"I just don't think that's effective," she said. "I understand that people are emotional, very tied to their school."

Still, people who came to Wednesday night's meeting wondered whether school closures are the way to go.

"I can't begin to share with you the rage, confusion, the fear that this recommendation has caused across our city," parent Michael Foster said.

Public hearings and community workshops will be held during December and January at locations throughout Seattle.

Each of the buildings recommended for closure will host a public hearing on December 15, 16 or 18. Scheduled dates and times are listed below.

The School Board is scheduled to vote on the final recommendations on January 29, 2009.

Meetings

December 3, 6 p.m.: School Board meeting, John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence - discussion of recommendation

December 4, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.: Community workshop, John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence

December 6, 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.: Community workshop, Filipino Community Center: 5740 MLK Jr Way

December 15, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.: Public hearing, TT Minor, 1700 E. Union St.

December 15, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.: Public hearing, Pinehurst, 11530 12th Avenue NE

December 15, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.: Public hearing, Van Asselt, 7201 Beacon Avenue S

December 16, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.: Public hearing, Genesee Hill, 5012 SW Genesee St.

December 16, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.: Public hearing, Mann, 2410 E. Cherry St.

December 16, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.: Public hearing, Old Hay, 411 Boston St.

December 18, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.: Public hearing, Lowell: 1058 E. Mercer St.

January 7, 6 p.m.: School Board meeting, John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence

January 21, 6 p.m.: School Board meeting, John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence

January 22, 6 p.m.: Public hearing, John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence

January 29, 6 p.m.: School Board vote, John Stanford Center for Educational Excellence