The Bellevue School District recently updated their proposed consolidation plan, which had previously included seven schools and was narrowed down to Ardmore, Eastgate and Wilburton Elementary. Breaking: Emotional reaction from parents as @TheBSD405. Bellevue Community School District See All News . KUOW is the Puget Sound regions #1 radio station for news. The district has set up tables with informational handouts, and administrative staff circulate to answer questions. In the elementary schools in Bellevue, there is a surplus approaching three thousand seats, which translates to 100 . Jarvis said there is a surplus approaching 3,000 seats in Bellevue elementary schools, which translates to at least 100 empty classrooms. Theo Chocolate to close Seattle factory, announces job cuts, merger, Gov. King County has third-highest ratio of young men to young women in U.S. Scientists find worrisome lesions on endangered southern resident orcas, Just outside Seattle, residents endure a dangerous yet ordinary intersection, districts recommendations to move Eastgate and Wilburton elementary students, spurred criticism over the districts handling of the school consolidations, Bellevue School District revises consolidation proposal, because of a declining student population, Seattle may need to close schools to save money. Nicole Holley's child attends Eastgate and she says shes ready to fight for the school. Bond/tax payer funded and was intended to serve an extremely high growth corridor in the future and students? At times, a few voices get heated. Bellevue may consolidate some elementary schools, citing low enrollment After meeting today, the Bellevue School District has chosen Ardmore, Eastgate, and Wilburton elementary schools as the three that it is recommending be consolidated with other schools. Parents at the demonstration questioned the districts timing and transparency over the proposal to consolidate three schools, which the district says is needed to address declining enrollment. The district will hold hearings for affected schools the week of Feb. 27. Under the consolidation recommendations, Ardmore would combine at Bennett, Cherry Crest and Sherwood Forest elementaries. Bellevue JR/SR High School . And what do you remember about it? Other parents voiced their concerns in February. Bellevue School District holds meetings on possible consolidation Bellevue, like many school districts, both locally and nationally, is faced with some difficult decisions on how to responsibly manage the fiscal fallout of these enrollment shifts. Downtown Bellevue's most up-to-date lifestyle news featuring: Entertainment, Real Estate, Restaurants, Shopping, Arts, Business and more! Bellevue district will consider consolidating some elementary schools The schools that were up for discussion included Ardmore, Eastgate, Enatai, Phantom Lake, Sherwood Forest, Woodridge, and Wilburton. "They're looking at data, but are they also looking at what it means for the community? A drop in enrollment prompted the consolidation plan. and the buildings would remain in use.. The School Board willmake a decision within 90 days. Bellevue may consolidate some elementary schools Sherrie M: Watching the recent outbursts on TV, I wondered how much the post-COVID-19 environment has augmented the angry response. She points out that Bellevue School District is far from alone in facing enrollment challenges, though its declines are the steepest in the area. The BSD said. Weve got to go with how can we keep the most certificated and classified staff?. Sheri Y: Stop looking at what youre losing and look at what youre gaining. School Name. The process had the effect of pitting one school against another and both schools against the school district. Bellevue school board votes to consolidate 2 elementary schools due to Inslee: Install speed-enforcement cameras on WA highways. Bellevue school leaders say the move is needed due to declining enrollment. Bellevue families rally against proposed plan to consolidate schools It has been losing students since 2019, when 20,295 students were enrolled in schools. The Bellevue School District is also committed to providing a safe and civil educational environment that is free from harassment, intimidation, or bullying. One parent, who wouldn't share her name with Soundside, says she moved to the Eastgate neighborhood so her kids could go to school here. Nearby, Northshore, Shoreline, and Lake Washington School Districts have all seen drops of 2 % to 5% since the pandemic began. Just where are all the Bellevue students going? We do not need 18 elementary schools at the moment, or in the next decade, Jarvis said at Thursdays meeting at the districts Wilburton Instructional Service Center, across the street from Wilburton Elementary, one of the schools slated for consolidation. 300 | fax: 563.872.5049, Middle + High School1601 State Street, Bellevue, IA 52031563.872.4001 ext. The mood is tense. A crowd of kids has surrounded somebody in an Eagle mascot costume. Bellevue would close 2 elementary schools under new consolidation plan BELLEVUE, Wash. Emotions and tensions were running high at the Bellevue School District meeting on Thursday evening. Traditional Public Charter Magnet. Comments (-1) BES Cub Council to Hold Bake Sale April 6-7. Zac Gudakov / Unsplash Members of the Bellevue School Board will be briefed Thursday on proposals aimed at helping the district deal with its declining enrollment numbers. Some have been organizing online and doing their own sleuthing into budget and demographic data. The BSD school community has unmatched school spirit which is a testament to its educators, students and families. Best Elementary Schools in Bellevue School District District Three, Clyde Hill (the receiving school) had an open and inviting meeting, and that was encouraging from the start. Grade Level. Hans Anderson is a producer on KUOWs Soundside, where he covers a diverse range of topics from conflicts over how to use busy streets to how the open spaces of the Palouse inspire modern musical compositions. Other students may be commuting out of the area to schools in Seattle or around the eastside. Downtown Bellevue Fitness Centers and Gyms, Bellevue Childrens Museum Presents KidsQuest Summer Nights with Animals, Science, & Live Music, Bellevue Towers Penthouse Back on Market after Additional $2M Reduction, Bellevue Collections Lincoln South Food Hall Reopens with New Restaurants, Final Beam Set & Signed on Top Floor of Luxury Condo Tower, MARI, Korean BBQ Restaurant, Seoul Bowl, Now Open in Bellevue. Likewise, our children adjusted reasonably well to the consolidation and quickly formed new friendships. Ralph Allen was the principal and had a collaborative work style that was very transparent. Bellevue Community Schools 904 W. Capital Bellevue, Michigan MI 49021 (269) 763-9432 (269) 763-2300. The school board voted to approve a modified consolidation of two schools instead of three. Comments (-1) Family Literacy Night . The district is experiencing its lowest student population in more than a decade. Believe in Bellevue. Three short years later, Bellewood Elementary became the fourth school to be consolidated, sending students to Lake Hills Elementary in June 1981. It gives the sense that people are not being treated fairly and the viewers dont really know the breadth of the dissatisfaction. He primarily produces segments about politics, arts and transportation. Read the full letter below. There is no right answer, only the best possible answer to this challenge we face together, acknowledging that the impacts will be felt deeply. Planning for the Future - Community Update - Bellevue School District There will be a presentation to the Board on Thursday, January 12, 2023, with options to address declining enrollment. Summary by Ground News. News . Preschools. The Bellevue School Board voted Thursday to consolidate two elementary schools over concerns about declining enrollment. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Mailing address for all three: 12111 NE 1st Street, Bellevue, WA 98005. The second option would have eliminated about 30 full-time positions, while the third would have eliminated about 60. We are moving forward together to ensure students transition with support and reassurance from trusted adults and professionals. That practice has ended. Principals of Bellevue Elementary School. We recognize that any potential scenarios may cause disappointment and concerns for students, staff, and families in our community. She added she had looked at housing developments being constructed throughout Bellevue, and wondered how the student population will continue to change. At one table, there's a cluster of parents gathered around deVita, whos fielding rapid-fire questions. We cannot keep the same service levels in all of our schools if we keep the same number of elementary schools that we currently have, and allow our enrollment to drop down as low as 200 students per school.". In December and January, we partnered with the Bellevue Education Association and building leaders on this topic and continue to meet regularly. Bellevue School District tweaks closure plan of elementary schools A series of staff engagement sessions and open houses for impacted families and community members will be held over the upcoming month. The History of District and School Consolidations in the Bellevue deVita says there are a lot of contributing factors: millennials arent having as many kids; fewer families are willing to pay sky-high Bellevue rents; and some Bellevue kids with parents on H1B visas have had to leave the country. Shes talking about head counts and funding formulas, but theyre thinking about walking their 2nd graders to school and how far the bus ride to Spiritridge or Somerset Elementary could be next year. This is where the district has seen the most enrollment declines. The original proposal, presented by interim Superintendent Art Jarvis in early February, also included Ardmore Elementary combining at three other schools and Eastgate going to both Spiritridge and Somerset elementaries. Hannah Park, whose child attends Eastgate Elementary, said she couldnt imagine being a teacher through the uncertainty of closures. Parents were questioning the districts timing and transparency over the proposal to consolidate three schools. Comparing your thoughts and feelings to now, what comes up for you? Originally, seven elementary schools had been proposed as options for closure but in a final recommendation by Interim Superintendent Dr. Art Jarvis, two schools will close. Three board members voted yes, while two abstained. The approximately 82,000-square-foot building cost $49 million to construct. Parents say theyre skeptical of some of the districts projections and wonder if officials have explored policy changes that could help balance enrollment across the district. When they closed it, they couldnt do that anymore. "As a system, we faced the impossible choice of . How do I face the same kids and say sorry, kids, were going to move you again?. 2 Bellevue Elementary Schools Chosen to Close as Enrollment Declines As 6 p.m. rolls around, Nicole and the crowd head into the cafeteria for the open house. Inslee: Install speed-enforcement cameras on WA highways. She also served as a member of the Virginia Interracial Commission and chairman of the board of directors for the Consolidated Bank and Trust Company. Lower enrollment has started to hit districts bottom lines in a major way: Throughout the pandemic, the state of Washington offered hold harmless revenue, meaning they used pre-pandemic enrollment to calculate district funding levels. Bellevue Elementary School . I became too quickly focused on the need for our school to stay open because I felt I needed to protect our students and prepare the best rationale for us to remain open to present to the closure committee. King County has third-highest ratio of young men to young women in U.S. Scientists find worrisome lesions on endangered southern resident orcas, Just outside Seattle, residents endure a dangerous yet ordinary intersection, seven Bellevue elementary schools on a list for potential consolidation, Bellevue may consolidate some elementary schools. Report harassment, intimidation or bullying with Vector Alert or at your school. Paige Cornwell Seattle Times staff reporter BELLEVUE Families of students from seven Bellevue elementary schools on a list for potential consolidation held a rally Monday outside the. A final consolidation plan will need to be approved by the . Three short years later, Bellewood Elementary became the fourth school to be consolidated, sending students to Lake Hills Elementary in June 1981. Bellevue Elementary / Homepage 2023 Cox Media Group. Hes not going to be here to see the fallout, Kelly Smith, an Eastgate parent, said. Similar situations would play out at schools now if there were additional cuts, she said. BELLEVUE, Wash. Ardmore Elementary School in Bellevue would not be consolidated under a new plan that the school district released Thursday. The views expressed in this article are solely those that were interviewed and not those of the Bellevue School District, employees, volunteers or affiliates. Comments (-1) Inscripcin para Preescolar o Knder! Bellevue School District consolidation plans to be announced | king5.com We still have connections with people that were at Ashwood. Bellevue parents, students await district's decision on consolidating 3 Our independent, nonprofit newsroom produces award-winning stories, podcasts and events. Sheri Y: Three things: One, the principals style was very supportive and welcoming. Fred: We were co-presidents of the PTSA, the kids were small, and it was handled well. The district identified seven schools it says are. The district is focused on ensuring that our students are supported, and the educational process will continue for them especially following the pandemic and learning recovery efforts led by BSD administrators and educators. Bellevue families have limited time to register their concern about school closures. We were also emotional about the possible closure of our neighborhood school and stressed over the implications for childcare with so many working parents. Although the Board has not yet come to a final decision on the recommendation, the district updates page serves as a resource for families as we continue to plan for the future. A letter sent to. For the past several months the Bellevue School District has shared information with our learning community about the enrollment challenges the district is projected to experience. Beginning in the fall, students from Wilburton will attend Clyde Hill and Enatai and students from Eastgate will attend Spiritridge. The School Board was presented with three options to reduce the shortfall: consolidating schools, postponing the decision by tapping into the districts reserve fund, or reducing staff. Parents, staff push back on proposed plan to consolidate 3 Bellevue elementary schools. Bellevue Community Schools | Home Yes, King County birth rates have been sliding recently, but that wave mostly hasnt reached kindergarten age. What impact did it have on you then? As a part of this announcement, it was included that Ardmore would not be amongst the schools that are to be consolidated. Maggie Lena Walker was educated in Richmond Public Schools and after she graduated she also taught elementary school for three years. So safe to assume that the district is going to take the newest school (of the options) for their own use? Time for some math. Families push back on Bellevue Schools' consolidation plans "Is it the location of the school building, or the services our students receive when they arrive at school? Advanced learning at Spiritridge would be relocated to Woodridge Elementary. Comments (-1) Water Quality Update. The Bellevue School District recently updated their proposed consolidation plan, which had previously included seven schools and was narrowed down to Ardmore, Eastgate and Wilburton Elementary. The district said it realized in October that enrollment wasnt returning to pre-pandemic levels and would impact the districts financial position. Over the past three years, the Bellevue School District has declined by more than 1,500 students and that trend is expected to continue for years to come, according to Bellevue School District Interim Superintendent Art Jarvis. Three board members voted to approve the plan and two abstained. There have been approximately 15 school consolidations from 1978 to the present, starting with Ashwood Elementary School in June of that year. But that doesnt explain all of it. Some parents upset with Bellevue School District's recommended When you experienced school consolidation while in the district, how would you describe your experience at that time? Sherrie M: While it seems more emotional now on the heels of COVID-19. Bellevue isnt the only district grappling with budget problems amid declining enrollment. Leah Klug, whose daughter has autism, said her family moved from Seattle to Bellevue because of Eastgates program. Advanced Learning students at Spiritridge will move to Woodridge. Elected officials respond to Bellevue's school consolidation plan Our Mission . Her younger daughter is in kindergarten. Monday night in Bellevue was a chance for parents and staff to address the district's board of directors about a plan to consolidate three elementary schools in response to declining enrollment . A student walks through the entryway area as second-grade students returned to in-person learning at Somerset Elementary School in Bellevue on Thursday, January 21, 2021. It was the first Bellevue school with a geothermal heating system to save on heating bills. Thu, March 16th 2023, 12:25 PM UTC 6 VIEW ALL PHOTOS A Bellevue School District parent holds a sign that reads "Please save our schools!" (KOMO News) The Bellevue School District announced this month that its planning to close three elementary schools because of declining enrollment. I am very confused. BELLEVUE The Bellevue School District has chosen Ardmore, Eastgate and Wilburton elementary schools as the three it is recommending be consolidated with other schools, district officials said Thursday. Dr. We reached out to half a dozen private schools in the Bellevue area, and some said they had seen significant enrollment jumps in the past three years. Brand freakin new school. Bellevue School District Board Directors Vote to Approve School We didnt have that when our school was closed. On a chilly evening in south Bellevue, parents are filing into the cafeteria for an open house at Eastgate Elementary. The Bellevue School District's board met today to discuss the consolidation of three out of seven elementary schools in Bellevue. Interim Superintendent, Art Jarvis, explained that Wilburton Elementary students would go to Clyde Hill Elementary and Enatai Elementary and Eastgate Elementary would be combined with Spiritridge Elementary. Fewer students means less money, and deVita says Bellevue is looking at losing millions of dollars in funding. See the attached link below to learn about . The proposal will consider shifts to consolidate three of the seven elementary schools identified below to stabilize elementary enrollment. School Board member Jane Aras, who abstained from voting, said she had lost sleep over trying to come up with the best possible solution for the districts shortfall. Enrollment is projected to decline for the next 10 years to a low of 16,000 students, according to Melissa deVita, the districts deputy superintendent of finance and operations. Jarvis said this was necessary because of a budget deficit within the school district and declining enrollment. The Bellevue School Board voted Thursday to approve the districts recommendations to move Eastgate and Wilburton elementary students to other schools after a monthslong process that spurred criticism over the districts handling of the school consolidations. Incoming Superintendent Kelly Aramaki stressed the recommendations arent final, and the district will continue listening to families from impacted schools. Im very disappointed, Tianxyin Wang, a parent at Eastgate, said. she says. Families rally ahead of Bellevue School District consolidation decision . Three board members voted in favor and two abstained. All Rights Reserved. Public School Type. "-Bill Daggett, International Center for Leadership in Education, From Tom Meyer, Superintendent of the Bellevue Community School District, Be sure to check out the Superintendents Page for BCSD Updates, 2021 Bellevue School District| Non-Discrimination Statement, Bellevue CSD Administration Office1601 State Street, Bellevue IA 52031563.872.4001 ext. Enrollment dropped due to declining birth rates, higher housing costs, more educational options, including private schools, lower immigration levels and families moving to more affordable areas, according to the district.