We are fighting to keep Broadview-Thomson open!
¡Estamos luchando para que se mantenga abierta nuestra escuela Broadview-Thomson!
PTA Update on Proposed School Closures and Impact on Broadview Thomson PK-8
At their September 11 School Board Meeting, Seattle Public Schools (SPS) released their proposal for school closures, effective in the 2025-2026 school year. Their proposal contains 2 scenarios, both include the closure of Broadview Thomson K8. Under either proposal, students who live east of Greenwood Ave. would be assigned to James Baldwin Elementary near the freeway. Students who live west of Greenwood Ave. would be assigned to Viewlands Elementary near Carkeek Park.
We understand this news may bring mixed emotions and concerns for our community. We assure you that the PTA will remain a resource for you as more information becomes available.
If you’d like to advocate for our school to remain open, please click GET INVOLVED, and we’ll reach out. And be sure to scroll down for more ways to help!
Curious how we ended up here? Take a listen to this local podcast 'Seattle Hall Pass: The Story of How We Got Here.’
SPS’s Proposals for Broadview-Thomson would further the divide.
Inside the black square is Broadview-Thomson’s current school zone. In SPS’s proposal, the red line (Greenwood Avenue) would split the current school community in two, sending the wealthiest and predominantly white families to Viewlands Elementary near Carkeek Park, while families east of Greenwood (including the vast majority of Broadview’s minority families) would get bussed across Aurora Avenue to James Baldwin Elementary near the freeway.
This proposal would divide an incredibly diverse community into two groups--largely separated by socioeconomic status, race and culture.
SPS wants to establish ‘well-resourced’ schools, but…
Broadview-Thomson already is. Additionally, the district’s plan still requires significant budget cuts to close the remaining $60 million deficit, so it is likely that if this proposal is passed, schools could still be less resourced than Broadview is now.
Broadview has:
- 564 students
- Only 9 students need busing to school
- FIVE special education programs
- TWO Head Start classrooms
- TWO Full-time Assistant Principals
- Full-time Counselor
- Full-time Social Worker
- .5 Psychologist
- Full-time Nurse
- Full-time Librarian
- Full-time Art Teacher
- Full-time P.E. Teacher
- Multilingual Support
- 2.6 teachers & 4 IA’s
- Families speak 18 different languages
LOCATED RIGHT NEXT TO:
- A Seattle Public Library
- Bitterlake Community Center
- A new playground
- 2024 sidewalks: Initiative ‘Safe Routes to Schools’
- Fire station
- Bike path
- Major bus route
Broadview-Thomson is an ‘Early Literacy Priority School’:
SPS has prioritized supporting students of color who are furthest away from educational justice, beginning with African American boys and teens. District leaders analyzed enrollment data to identify where African American boys are most likely to attend elementary school. More than 50% of these students are enrolled in 13 elementary and K-8 schools, and our school is one of them. You can read more about the program HERE.
Action Items: What you can do right now:
SIGN OUR PETITION and directly text it to five friends who support equity in our public schools. La petición la encontrarás primero en inglés y luego en español. Puedes cambiar el idioma de éste sitio web desplazándote hasta la parte inferior de la página (vete hasta mero abajo). Haz clic en el menú desplegable y selecciona “Español”.
Visit this ‘Fund SPS’ site to quickly send form letters, to advocate on behalf of Seattle’s kids with the click of a button.
Write a letter to SPS and give it to us to mail as a collection from Broadview-Thomson! Instructions HERE.
Fill out our Volunteer Form. Inscríbete para ser voluntario
Write to SPS through their Let’s Talk app. You can submit as many times as you want. If you have new thoughts, send another message!
Email the SPS Board: liza.rankin@seattleschools.org michelle.sarju@seattleschools.org
Write a letter to the Seattle Times: Send a letter to the Editor: letters@seattletimes.com. Please include your full name, address and telephone number for verification only. Letters are limited to 200 words.
Seattle Times writers that have recently picked up stories on SPS:
Danny Westneat: dwestneat@seattletimes.com; Danny Westneat takes an opinionated look at the Puget Sound region's news, people and politics.
Denisa R. Superville: 206-464-8216 or dsuperville@seattletimes.com; Denisa R. Superville covers K-12 education at The Seattle Times.
Jenn Smith: jennsmith@seattletimes.com;