Seattle Public Schools proposed growth boundary set to impact Ballard elementary students

The Seattle School Board have proposed growth boundaries that, if approved, are set to impact the students and families of many Ballard elementary schools including Whittier Elementary School (1320 NW 75th St). The latest plans, released on November 1, show Whittier Elementary feeding into Wilson-Pacific Middle School (1330 N 90th St) as opposed to Whitman Middle School (9201 15th Ave NW).

“This change of Whittier feeding into Wilson-Pacific Middle School is significant, given that Whittier was shown to continue to feed into Whitman Middle School in the 10/16 version of the proposed attendance boundaries,” writes Whittier PTA Legislative Rep Kristin Wiggins.

In terms of the timeframe for the change, the current map on the Seattle School Board website indicates that changes will be implemented for the 2014-2015 school year. However, on the website under “major changes” it specifies that most elementary students will be grandfathered if their attendance are is changing.

My Ballard reader and mother of a former Whittier student Judy Eggerman emailed in to let us know her thoughts. “The proposed growth boundary would be a huge change, not only for Whittier families but for the whole Ballard community,” writes Eggerman.

Similarly, nearby Greenwood Elementary (144 NW 80th St) is facing the same proposed change which would alter them as a feeder school to the new Wilson-Pacific Middle School.

The Seattle School Board is set to vote on the growth boundaries at their meeting on November 20 at John Stanford Center (2445 3rd Ave S) from 4:15 p.m. – 8 p.m. Before the meeting is held the community has a chance to voice their opinion through the Seattle Council PTSA Growth Boundary Awareness Survey. Community members are asked to complete the survey tonight where possible.

“Please help spread awareness about this. Please submit your feedback via the survey as soon as possible,” writes Wiggins.