BSD School Consolidation Decision Made
On March 16, the Bellevue School District School Board Directors in a 3-0-2 vote, approved the district’s plan to consolidate Wilburton and Eastgate Elementary School buildings.
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Topics in this section:
BSD receives funding from state, federal and local sources. The primary revenue source is the state, and that funding is based on student enrollment.
Over the past three years, enrollment in the Bellevue School District has declined by 1,552 students and is projected to continue to decline. Declining enrollment has deep financial impacts and very small enrollment at the school level can create educational challenges. To maintain the quality of education for each and every student and continually add and improve services provided to BSD families, the District recommendation was made by Interim Superintendent Art Jarvis in a report to the school board, to consolidate several BSD elementary schools starting in the 2023-24 school year. Navigate the topics below to learn more.
Contact Us: budgetoffice@bsd405.org | (425) 456-4069 | 12111 NE 1st Street, Bellevue, WA 98005
Having right-sized the number of elementary schools in the 2022-2023 school year by consolidating two schools to accommodate lower enrollment, the Bellevue School District made a commitment to continue to study enrollment at our middle schools and the implication of our declining enrollment on our facilities and operating budget.Read More
On Thursday, August 17, 2023, at the regular board meeting, the school board adopted resolution 2023-19 to approve the proposed the 2023-2024 budget. Despite reducing expenditures, the budget continues to reflect the district’s priorities including mental health supports, academic interventions, a broad diversity of student programming, and future-focused innovation.Read More
Constituent review and school board approval of the 2023-24 annual budget are underway. This yearly process helps ensure budget allocation for vital programs and services that support our learning community for the school year.Read More
The district is preparing the 2023 Annual Budget for constituent review and school board approval. Funding supports our learning community and ensures that students, staff, and families receive the support necessary for the 2023-24 school year.Read More
Construction of the new Evergreen Transition Program building began in January 2023. This project is designed as a two-story building to provide experiential learning opportunities for young adults with disabilities ages 18-21, to foster independence in the areas of employment, education/training and life skills.Read More
Former BSD families recently shared their school consolidation and closure experiences with the BSD Communications Department, expressing their viewpoints, vivid memories, and advice for families currently on that journey.Read More
The community gathered together for the grand opening of the new home of Puesta del Sol on March 22, 2023. The celebration included a ribbon cutting ceremony, tours of the new building, student performances, mariachi and more!Read More
The district is currently working on plans to move both Big Picture and Jing Mei to newer, existing buildings and invites both communities to participate in the decision-making process. Community engagement opportunities will be offered in the month of April.Read More
On Thursday, March 16, 2023, the Bellevue School District Board of Directors in a 3-2 (abstention) vote, approved the District’s plan to consolidate Wilburton and Eastgate Elementary School buildings. This consolidation along with additional operational cuts will help to offset a $31 million dollar budget shortfall. Read More
Following his updated recommendation to the Board on Thursday March 9, Interim Superintendent, Dr. Art Jarvis, took time to answer additional questions from local media outlets. The questions and answers are available in the transcript below.Read More
On Wednesday, March 8, Interim Superintendent Jarvis shared an announcement with the BSD community regarding updates to the recommendations to consolidate schools in the 2023-2024 school year.Read More
On Thursday, February 16, a special meeting of the Board of Directors was held for the purpose of discussion with the Community Committee and School Committee, who reviewed the school consolidation recommendation made at the February 9 Board meeting.Read More
Following his recommendation to the Board on Thursday, February 9, 2023, Interim Superintendent, Dr. Art Jarvis, took time to answer questions received from several local media outlets regarding the recommended school consolidations.Read More
On Thursday, February 9, Interim Superintendent Jarvis shared a message with the BSD community regarding the recommendations to consolidate schools in the 2023-2024 school year.Read More
Thank you to everyone in our learning community for sharing their thoughts, questions and concerns with us — in person and online — as we collaborate to address declining enrollment. All feedback that was shared through the community engagement process is being used to develop options for Interim Superintendent Jarvis to consider prior to making a recommendation to the school board on Thursday, February 9.Read More
Families wishing to learn more about the impacts of enrollment on impacted elementary schools can attend a virtual session tonight, Tuesday, January 24, 2023.Read More
Melissa deVita, BSD’s Deputy Superintendent of Finance and Operations continues the Planning for the Future series by sharing the impacts of lower enrollment at our elementary schools. She includes details about how school finances work, where money is spent, the impact of enrollment declines, and some strategies the district can use to address these declines.Read More
Melissa deVita, BSD’s Deputy Superintendent of Finance and Operations reestablishes information regarding declining enrollment and shares options to address it.Read More
A message was shared with all BSD families on Wednesday, January 11, 2023, to provide an update on how the district proposes to address declining enrollment and share opportunities to engage all stakeholders in providing final recommendations. Read More
Melissa deVita shares information with BSD staff and families on the impact of declining enrollment.Read More