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Seattle Public Schools: 2 schools confirmed for possible merger, with more on horizon
KING5.com • • nation
Key Points:
- Seattle Public Schools plans to explore merging some schools after the 2026-27 school year due to declining enrollment, with at least two schools in Ballard—Salmon Bay and Licton Springs K-8—being considered for consolidation.
- A public listening session is scheduled for December 11 at Salmon Bay K-8, where superintendent Ben Shuldiner and district officials will discuss the potential merger and gather community feedback.
- The district is managing a balanced budget for the current school year after facing a $94 million shortfall for 2025-26, but structural financial challenges remain without further changes.
- In 2024, SPS proposed closing 21 schools to save $31.5 million, including Salmon Bay and Licton Springs, but community opposition over concerns about student disruption and increased family costs led to reconsideration.
- The district's ongoing financial pressures have prompted these merger discussions as part of efforts to address long-term budget deficits and enrollment declines.
