Bellingham task force recommends closing 2 elementary schools. Here’s what to know

Bellingham Public Schools could shutter Carl Cozier and Columbia elementary schools starting in the 2027-2028 school year to address years of declining enrollment. A district task force made the recommendation Thursday after months of reviewing enrollment trends, building conditions and program needs.

FULL STORY: Bellingham task force recommends closing two elementary schools

Here are key takeaways:

• A Facilities Planning Task Force of more than 30 people — including principals, school staff, parents, city staff and district leaders — met eight times this spring before recommending the two closures.
• Carl Cozier was flagged for closure due to its declining building condition and its location in the future Civic Athletic Complex area. Columbia was selected because of shrinking neighborhood enrollment and the age and condition of the building.
• The district projects a loss of about 1,000 elementary students between 2018 and 2028, driven by declining birth rates and home prices.
• Roosevelt Elementary is also in poor building condition but was spared because it is “most ready for rebuild,” with design work for a new building set to be submitted for permitting by November to take advantage of cost savings before permit costs rise.
• Superintendent Greg Baker said he will take time to process the recommendations and may assemble an attendance area committee to adjust school boundaries. He also plans to explore ways to repurpose the closed buildings rather than sell them, in case enrollment rebounds.

The summary points above were compiled with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists. The full story in the link at top was reported, written and edited entirely by journalists.