Help Stop School Closures in Seattle: Urge City Council to Act Now

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Email Subject:

Dear [Your Elected Official],

I am a concerned parent with children in Seattle Public Schools (SPS), and I am reaching out to urge your involvement in stopping the planned closure of 21 elementary schools throughout Seattle for the 2025-2026 school year. As a leader in this city, your influence is essential in protecting the vibrancy of our neighborhoods. Thriving schools are the heart of thriving communities, and their closure would undermine the very foundation of what makes Seattle a great place to live and raise children.
SPS faces significant challenges: a $94 million annual budget deficit and declining enrollment. While solutions are clearly needed, the proposed mass closure of schools is not the answer and will only further destabilize our city’s school system and communities.
Closing schools is a short-sighted solution that will not address the underlying issues. Here are three key reasons why:
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<li>School closures won’t close the budget shortfall: Experiences from other cities like Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. have shown that closing schools saves minimal funds. In those cities, closures only generated savings of about $17.5 million per year (adjusted to 2024 dollars). This won’t meaningfully address the budget crisis SPS is facing.</li>
<li>Harm to student outcomes: Evidence shows that mass school closures in large cities often lead to worsened educational outcomes, particularly in the short term. After the major disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic, our children cannot afford further upheaval. Seattle’s students need stability and a clear path toward academic progress.</li>
<li>Lack of a clear, well-resourced plan: The current “well-resourced school” proposal lacks a concrete plan detailing how staffing reductions will affect the overall educational experience. Parents and families deserve clarity on how this will impact not just elementary schools, but also middle and high school students.</li>
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Additionally, with Seattle’s ongoing push for more middle housing to increase urban density, we cannot ignore the role a well-funded and stable school system plays in attracting families to our city. Families will not choose to move into neighborhoods with a chaotic, underfunded school system. Strong schools fuel vibrant communities, and supporting our public schools is essential to maintaining Seattle’s appeal as a place to live and raise children.
Our school district is in crisis, and without accountability and a long-term solution, the negative impact on our city will be profound. I urge you to get involved and work alongside parents, educators, and city leaders to find solutions that secure a brighter future for Seattle’s children and communities.
Thank you for your time and consideration. I hope you will take an active role in helping to preserve and strengthen our public schools.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Address]

[Your City & State]

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Summary

Seattle Public Schools (SPS) is facing a significant crisis: a projected $94 million annual budget deficit and declining enrollment are putting 21 elementary schools at risk of closure for the 2025-2026 school year. These closures would not only destabilize our school system but also have a profound impact on the neighborhoods and families that rely on these schools. Thriving schools are the heart of strong communities. Closing them is a short-sighted solution that won’t resolve the underlying financial issues and will harm the educational outcomes of Seattle’s children. Evidence from other cities shows that school closures generate minimal savings and cause long-term disruption to students and families, particularly after the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. As Seattle moves toward greater urban density with more housing, our school system must remain a strong draw for families. The mass closure of schools threatens the very foundation of our city’s appeal as a place to live and raise children. We need city leaders to step up and work with parents, educators, and the broader community to find real, long-term solutions for our schools. This is an opportunity for city councilmembers to support the future of Seattle’s children and help preserve the vibrancy of our neighborhoods. Take action today! Use the form letter to urge your city councilmember to actively oppose these school closures and work toward sustainable solutions that protect our children, schools, and communities. Please note that the name of your representative will not populate when you enter information. It will be added after you click "Send email."

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