Parents fight to reopen North Beach Elementary and other Seattle schools

SEATTLE – Hundreds of Seattle families are fighting to keep their children's schools open, including parents at North Beach Elementary, which the school district is now considering closing for the second time.

“We feel like our school is special to us, it's incredible,” said Jennifer Markovitz, president of the North Beach Elementary PTA. “But I suspect every school that's on both closure lists feels the same way.”

That sentiment is shared by hundreds of families of Seattle public school students who received an email last week saying their child's school was on a list of possible closures.

“It's been a real rollercoaster, a lot of uncertainty for our families,” Markovitz said. “A lot of fear for our children and staff and it's been really tough.”

There are two plans from the Seattle School District, one of which could result in the closure of 21 or 17 schools.

According to the district, the criteria for these selections are based on building conditions, learning environments, capacity and enrollment. Both of these proposed plans include North Beach Elementary School, which Markovitz's children attend.

“What can we do and how can we fight this and how can we fight not just for our children but for all children in Seattle public schools,” Markovitz said.

Markovitz is now working with other parents in the district. She has launched a new website called Fund SPS. She is urging parents to contact their school boards and state legislators.

“We do not accept this plan,” Markovitz said. “This is not the solution to funding our schools. And they have to start all over again.”

A board that has already written off this school.

“Is a business plan more important than a community?” Liz Moore asked, asking SPS the same question she asked nearly 20 years ago when her son attended North Beach. In 2005, the district considered closing the school, also due to budget shortfalls.

But Moore said she and other parents came together and helped raise more than $70,000 to improve the school's programs and facilities.

“I think it's a tragedy when a community elementary school closes because community elementary schools bring everyone together,” Moore said.

And for some families, there is hope for a better future. “I'm hopeful,” Markovtitz said. “Yes, I think we can tell the district that this is not acceptable.”

The superintendent will announce preliminary recommendations in October, with the final vote taking place in December.