The Bellevue (Wash.) school board has voted to close two of its elementary schools.

KIRO-TV reports that Wilburton and Eastgate elementary schools will cease operations at the end of the academic year.

In the fall, students from Wilburton will be assigned to either Clyde Hill or Enatai elementary schools, and students from Eastgate will be relocated to Spiritridge.

District Superintendent Art Jarvis says the closures were necessary because of a budget deficit declining enrollment. Bellevue’s enrollment has declined by 1,552 students in the last three years and now stands at about 18,400 students.

“I want to extend my heart to a community that is aching as a result of this consolidation,” Jarvis said. “We have no bad schools needing closing — only small schools getting smaller. That fact requires that we consolidate, and we will.”