Parents, Students Rally To Save Their School

Parents, Students Rally To Save Their School

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Story Published: May 23, 2006 at 6:38 AM PDT

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2006 at 8:26 AM PDT

By Kevin Reece

SEATTLE - Parents have begun another round of working to save their children's schools as the move to shut down or consolidate 11 Seattle schools is entering its final stages.

The school board says it is a painful move meant to improve education for all students. The closures would save millions that the school board says they plan to save and re-direct to classrooms.

But parents and teachers are working to get their classrooms off the hit list.

Monday, students at Graham Hill Elementary -- one of 11 on the list for consolidation or closure -- marched in a sea of blue shirts down Graham Hill, chanting "SOS… Save Our School."

They marched all the way to the middle school where they would plead their case in a large rally.

"I just don't want Graham Hill to close down because it's the best school in the world," said student Malik Wilson.

"I think (the school board) is making a big, big mistake," added parent Bill Sims.

They were the "blue shirts" were joined by those wearing the yellow, purple, and red fighting colors of the other schools here to make their cases too.

"A lot of people have put a lot of work in with the renovation," said parent Charlette Duckett. "It's just a community and we feel like that's being severed because so many people have contributed so much to the school - so I think it's very dumb."

Another rally is scheduled for Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Meany Middle School, then Wednesday at Hamilton International Middle School, and again at Aki Kurose Muddle school on Thursday -- specifically for the bilingual community.

Recommendations go to the superintendent on May 30. Final action is expected by the school board at the end of July.

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