Seattle Public Schools drops closure plans after release of NPI polling confirming broad, deep opposition to shuttering
schools
The administration of Seattle Public Schools Superintendent Brent Jones has withdrawn a proposal to close schools ahead of the 20252026 school year in the face of strong community opposition, delivering a huge victory to the growing grassroots movement that has formed to stop harmful austerity measures in the Emerald City and beyond.
The decision comes just days after research released by the Northwest Progressive Institute confirmed broad and deep opposition to shuttering schools.
Majorities of likely 2024 Seattle voters surveyed at the end of October and the beginning of this month for NPI also expressed unhappiness with SPS direction and the performance of the elected school board, currently led by Director Liza Rankin.
Specifically, NPIs research found:
55% of likely 2024 voters are unsatisfied with the direction of SPS
51% disapprove of the school boards job performance (and only 16% approve)
54% oppose the now-withdrawn school closure plans
41% would vote to recall members of the school board
67% want SPS to address its fiscal problems with higher taxes on the wealthy
66% want the district to demand new funding from the Legislature
https://www.nwprogressive.org/weblog/2024/11/seattle-public-schools-drops-closure-plans-after-release-of-npi-polling-confirming-broad-deep-opposition-to-shuttering-schools.html