Judge: Trafton Elementary to remain closed despite protest
ARLINGTON, Wash. -- Despite a fight from parents, students and staff, Trafton Elementary School will not open this year.
A judge on Wednesday ruled against a lawsuit filed to keep the district from shutting the school down.
From the chipped paint to the rusty old school bell, people in Arlington don't see Trafton's flaws; they see its character. And that was enough for them to take the Arlington School District to court for shutting it down.
"The plaintiffs absolutely have the right to a free and appropriate education," said attorney Bridget Shaw.
Community members said he Arlington School District made up its mind to close their beloved school that was built in 1912 before it even heard from taxpayers.
District officials said the school costs $275,000 a year, and needs $1 million in repairs. But parents say those figures are wrong.
"The district didn't do it fairly, absolutely not. They didn't do it fairly," said grandmother Debbie Isler.
But David Hokit, the attorney representing the district, said all procedures were followed.
"Clearly the process that's required by law is to have a public hearing," he said.
And on Wednesday, Snohomish Superior Court Judge David Kurtz agreed.
The judge said there isn't enough proof the school board members closed Trafton arbitrarily without any care to the community.
"I don't know. It's just it's not right," Isler said. "There are too many kids that need this education that they're not getting in town."
And some parents say the fight's not over yet.
"We're a relatively poor rural community, and we will continue to raise money and continue to do what we need to do to get that school to open back up," said parent Terri Forslof.
It's up to the parents to continue this fight. But the judge said they'll have to prove the school board did something illegally.
Former Trafton students are being bussed to other schools.
A judge on Wednesday ruled against a lawsuit filed to keep the district from shutting the school down.
From the chipped paint to the rusty old school bell, people in Arlington don't see Trafton's flaws; they see its character. And that was enough for them to take the Arlington School District to court for shutting it down.
"The plaintiffs absolutely have the right to a free and appropriate education," said attorney Bridget Shaw.
Community members said he Arlington School District made up its mind to close their beloved school that was built in 1912 before it even heard from taxpayers.
District officials said the school costs $275,000 a year, and needs $1 million in repairs. But parents say those figures are wrong.
"The district didn't do it fairly, absolutely not. They didn't do it fairly," said grandmother Debbie Isler.
But David Hokit, the attorney representing the district, said all procedures were followed.
"Clearly the process that's required by law is to have a public hearing," he said.
And on Wednesday, Snohomish Superior Court Judge David Kurtz agreed.
The judge said there isn't enough proof the school board members closed Trafton arbitrarily without any care to the community.
"I don't know. It's just it's not right," Isler said. "There are too many kids that need this education that they're not getting in town."
And some parents say the fight's not over yet.
"We're a relatively poor rural community, and we will continue to raise money and continue to do what we need to do to get that school to open back up," said parent Terri Forslof.
It's up to the parents to continue this fight. But the judge said they'll have to prove the school board did something illegally.
Former Trafton students are being bussed to other schools.