The Olympia (Washington) school board is looking at closing two of its elementary schools to address the district's budget woes.
The Olympian reports that the board voted 3-2 last month to open a 90-day window to consider closing Madison and McKenny elementary schools.
The board is gathering information and testimony on issues related to the potential closures. It may consider taking action once the three-month period ends in March.
Board member Scott Clifthorne proposed closing the two schools to shrink an anticipated $3.5 million deficit. He contended that closimng campuses has to happen at this point.
“I’m proposing this because I quite literally think that the financial life of the district is at risk,” he said. “I don’t think deep additional operational cuts are going to get us there, and it’s time to make a hard choice.”
Board president Darcy Huffman said she sees closing Madison and McKenny as the minimum number of closures and consolidations, and that program and staff reductions will also be needed to make up the budget shortfall.
