Financial woes force closure of Poulsbo elementary school
»Play Video
POULSBO, Wash. -- Parents and students are wondering what they'll do after learning that the North Kitsap School District voted unanimously to close Breidablik Elementary School this fall.
Parents aren't happy about the decision, but district officials say closing the school is an important part of getting their finances together.
Superintendent Patty Page feels empathy for the parents, but said the move will save the district at least $350,000.
Another problem that played a role in the closure is that enrollment at Breidablik has been in steady decline.
"Next year we're looking at 116 students less than we have this year," Page said.
Some parents say the district is going in the wrong direction.
"We think leaving the district is going to be the best option for us," one parent said. "It looks like we're going to look into home schooling or private school."
The closure is just one step in the direction of getting the district's finances in order.
"Our fiscal climate here is not good as a school district, and we need to start to right that course," Page said.
Page said the next step in the process will be to the realign boundaries at each of the schools. The district is also working on reassigning Breidablik employees.
Parents aren't happy about the decision, but district officials say closing the school is an important part of getting their finances together.
Superintendent Patty Page feels empathy for the parents, but said the move will save the district at least $350,000.
Another problem that played a role in the closure is that enrollment at Breidablik has been in steady decline.
"Next year we're looking at 116 students less than we have this year," Page said.
Some parents say the district is going in the wrong direction.
"We think leaving the district is going to be the best option for us," one parent said. "It looks like we're going to look into home schooling or private school."
The closure is just one step in the direction of getting the district's finances in order.
"Our fiscal climate here is not good as a school district, and we need to start to right that course," Page said.
Page said the next step in the process will be to the realign boundaries at each of the schools. The district is also working on reassigning Breidablik employees.
the corporations dont pay their fair share and the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. the republicans are to rich for their own good and the politiations in DC NEED TO DO THEIR JOB OR GET OUT OF WASHINGTON DC AS THEY ARE HURTING AMERICA
Poulsbo had an elementary school?
@shamrock178 A very ignorant comment.  Poulsbo has several elementary schools.
The reality is, we are NOT broke.  Do your homework. http://werenotbrokemovie.com/the-film/  The majority of giant corporations in America are swimming in profits, and paying a pittance of their fair share. They're allowed to offshore money, to pay next to nothing tax-wise, and even get tax breaks for sending jobs to China. The oli industry enjoys a 3-4 billion dollar Subsidy every year, though their profits are in the 100s of billions each year.  You're all getting mad at the wrong people. It's not the State, it's not the unions, it's not the "illegals" and not the people on welfare.  watch that flick on Netflix and be prepared to be angry. "were not broke" is the name of the film.  Corporate profits have gone up 170% since 2008, and they are not paying their fair share, nor are they reinvesting the money in America. It's going into the pockets of a handful of investors. Â
@DTÂ Corportations pay their taxes just like you and I - millions more than you and I. Success is not evil and shouldn't be treated as such.
@shamrock178Â @DT They may pay taxes, but it's a fraction of what they are supposed to pay thanks to loopholes and tax breaks. They try and claim they're hurting but when you see their profits (which are what they have AFTER all their bills are paid) they are far from hurting, yet the government gives some of them a added boost to the tune of Billions every year. That money could be spent elsewhere, like education, improving roads and bridges (which need serious help).
No school should have to close because of finances if they are managed properly. I could never understand how the administrative costs are more costly than the actual cost of paying the teachers, curriculum and materials for each class. Yes, you have building maintenance, cleaning, food costs etc... But when a school district has more office personnel than teachers, there is something wrong. Talking of school food I will add that when I was in school in the 70's and 80's we had 3 lunch ladies that came to work in the morning and made all breakfasts and lunches from scratch and cooked in the kitchens of my school. They were well rounded meals such as lasagna, salad, bread, fruit and dessert. All was handmade each morning by these great ladies. And guess what????? We didn't have any obese children in school and only about 1% of the total student count were somewhat overweight kids. Once they decided to start offering "healthier" meals(really meaning to just make it all in a central location and trucking it to each school each morning for the lunch staff to re-heat) we started seeing more and more overweight/obese kids. Please tell me how chicken nuggets are healthy? That is something my kids eat when they have a sleepover and it's a special night to just eat pizza, soda, chips etc.... Certainly not for a meal that is suppose to fuel the child to get through the rest of the day. My kids come home starving if they forget to bring their lunch and have to buy school lunch.
Wow... enrollment at that school is at a decline? I wish some of the schools in my area had that problem. Instead we struggle with overcrowding.Â
Great to see one of the school districts doing what is necessary and not listening to a few parents who will be inconvenienced.Â
@Grumpa what the report failed to mention is that Breidablik is not in need of major repairs as the superintendant attempts to use an a reason.  It also has the highest test scores in the district.  On top of that, more money would have been saved by closing other schools.  Poulsbo is a growing community unlike Kingston that has not seen any major growth in a very long time.Â