Government
LP Brown Elementary closure hearing is Thursday at 6 p.m.; parents push back on 'spreadsheet' case
The Olympia School Board will hear public testimony on the proposed closure of LP Brown Elementary at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, at the school, with a Zoom option. At last week's board meeting, LP Brown parents urged the board to look past the numbers.
The second of three Olympia School District closure hearings is this week. The school board will take testimony on the proposed closure of LP Brown Elementary at 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15, in the school's Multi-Purpose Room at 2000 26th Ave. NW, according to the district.
How to take part. You can comment in person or on Zoom. Online sign-ups opened Oct. 8, and the district says on-site sign-ups will stay open until 7 p.m., an hour after the hearing starts. Speakers get up to three minutes, or two minutes each if more than 50 people sign up. Each person must sign up and speak for themselves. The district asks people to speak at only one of the three hearings so each school community can be heard. Limited childcare will be available. Written comments can be mailed to Olympia School District, Attn: School Board, 111 Bethel Street NE, Olympia, WA 98506.
What's proposed. Superintendent Patrick Murphy has recommended closing LP Brown, Madison and McKenny elementary schools ahead of the 2027-28 school year under Board Policy 6883. The district's middle estimate puts savings at about $3.14 million a year. The district's FAQ says LP Brown was the lowest-scoring candidate on the west side under its evaluation criteria. Under the plan, Hansen and Garfield elementary schools would take in LP Brown students.
What parents said last week. Thirty-six people signed up to speak at the board's Oct. 8 meeting, the Thurston Chronicle reported, and many focused on LP Brown.
"The spreadsheet is a useful tool, and it is a terrible substitute for conscience," said Dr. Daniel Kastrika, an LP Brown parent.
Elizabeth Davidson, an educator and LP Brown parent, asked how the district measures "what it means to tell a child that their school, their friends, their teachers, their routines and their community are suddenly gone."
Catherine Long, a parent of two LP Brown students, said, "Each number represents a child."
Former state Rep. Laurie Dolan, a retired principal, said an aging, underused school costs "instructional money to keep it open." The Olympian reported that she and state Rep. Beth Doglio (D-Olympia) both said there is no extra state money to stop the consolidation.
What's next. McKenny's hearing was held Monday, Oct. 12. Madison's hearing is at 6 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19. The school board is scheduled to vote Nov. 12.
