Dear BISD Families 

On November 9th, I provided an update on how we are addressing anticipated budget challenges for 2024-25. I shared that BISD administrators are currently vetting the viability of consolidating/closing schools in order to operate more efficiently. This is a time-intensive process that evaluates:

• Space availability in our schools 
• Cost savings gained by reimaging how our schools are staffed   
• Our ability to run well-resourced schools for our BISD students

We are still in the information-gathering phase and no decisions have been made.  However, I want to share a high-level overview of the scenarios we are evaluating. This video walks you through some FAQS, reviews the various scenarios and provides you with the next steps and important dates. Here are the slides used in the presentation.  

Scenario A
Schools Reimagined: 

• Sakai’s current configuration as a 5th/6th school is disbanded  
  • Neighborhood elementary schools serve kindergarten - 5th grade
  • Woodward Middle School serves 6th-8th grades 
• Ordway students move to the vacated Sakai building and it serves students K-5. This becomes the neighborhood elementary school for the central region of Bainbridge Island. 
• Choice programs (Odyssey K-6, El Velero, Mosaic) are housed at the Sakai building (along with Ordway) and operate as their own cohort for core subjects but access the building for specialists, intervention and special education needs, cafeteria, recess, etc.
• Odyssey 7/8 is relocated to WMS and operates as its own cohort for core subjects but accesses WMS for electives, cafeteria, clubs and sports, etc.  
• Eagle Harbor is relocated to Bainbridge High School and operates as its own cohort for core subjects but accesses BHS for electives, specialty courses, cafeteria, clubs and sports, etc. 
• BISD’s two preschool programs are housed at Blakely Elementary 

Physical Buildings (2) Closed: 

• Ordway 
• Commodore

Scenario B
Schools Reimagined: 

• Blakely and x̌alilic schools serve preK through 3rd grades for all neighborhood schools, including those sections currently housed at Ordway Elementary
• Sakai adds an additional grade level and serves grades 4th, 5th and 6th
• Choice schools (Odyssey K-8, Mosaic, El Velero) are housed together in either the Ordway building or in the Commodore building.
• Eagle Harbor is relocated to Bainbridge High School and operates as its own cohort for core subjects but accesses BHS for electives, specialty courses, cafeteria, clubs and sports, etc. 

Physical Building (1) Closed:

• Either Ordway or Commodore. The building that remains contains the choice schools. 

Scenario C
Schools Reimagined: 

• Sakai remains a 5-6 school and Odyssey K-6 moves into available space at the school. Odyssey K-6 operates as its own cohort for core subjects but access building specialists, intervention staff and special education needs, cafeteria, recess, etc.
• WMS remains a 7-8 school and Odyssey 7-8 moves into available space at the school. Odyssey 7-8  operates as its own cohort for core subjects but accesses WMS for electives, special education needs, cafeteria, clubs and sports, etc. 
• Mosaic would be housed at either Sakai or WMS and would operate as its own cohort but access building spaces for specialists, intervention services and special education services.
• Eagle Harbor is relocated to Bainbridge High School and operates as its own cohort for core subjects but accesses BHS for electives, specialty courses, special education, cafeteria, clubs and sports, etc.
  

Physical Building (1) Closed:

• Commodore 

Over the next couple of weeks, we will continue reviewing the different scenarios and fine-tuning details. A School Board Study Session is scheduled for November 27th at 5:45 p.m. and the scenarios will be reviewed in-depth. No decision will be made at that time, but it will be a good opportunity to learn more about the logistics and the anticipated cost savings of each scenario. The public is welcome to attend and watch in person or via Zoom, but it is not a time for public comment or interaction. (Study Sessions are also recorded and posted to our website.) This study session will be held in the BHS Library Reading Room. Following the Study Session, a formal recommendation of two options will be made at the December 14th regularly scheduled School Board Meeting. This will kickstart BISD Policy 6883, which states that there must be a 90-day period where the board will conduct one or more public hearings (dates TBD) to receive testimony on any issues related to the closure of a school. If the board decides to move forward with school closure, a vote would take place on March 14, 2024.

It is important to know that while Scenarios A, B & C provide cost savings, none of the options will save the full $3.5-$4.5 million we anticipate is required. Additional cuts will be needed. To guide this work, we rely on our District Improvement Plan to serve as our Northstar. “What is best for our students?” is the question at the forefront of our minds, and it helps us focus on the priorities that matter most — the ones that help maintain the high caliber of education BISD provides. 

In the meantime, I know you have questions. As a way to manage the volume, we are using this form for you to submit questions, and answers will be provided on our website. You can also provide feedback on the scenarios through this form. Responses will be shared with BISD administrators and school board members. In addition, we are holding an opportunity for in-person discussions on:

• Community Meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 28th, in the BHS Library Reading Room (Updated Location)  
• Community Meeting at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, December 5th, in the BHS Library Reading Room (Updated Location)

We are also meeting with BISD committees and partner organizations:

• Multicultural Advisory Council - November 28th, 4-5:30 p.m. in the BISD Board Room 
• Special Education Program Council - December 6th, 4-5:30 p.m. in the BISD Board Room
• District Budget Advisory Committee - December 6th, 5:45-7:15 p.m. in the BISD Board Room
• PTOCC - December 7th, 9 a.m. at Blakely Elementary  
• School PTO meetings in December/January  - Times/dates shared at the school level 
• Staff meetings in the next four weeks - Times/dates shared at the school level
• Labor organization leadership meetings - Times/dates shared with labor organizations 

This is a challenging time and the stress and uncertainty weigh on us all. I have watched other school districts experience similar budget challenges and it often leads to rifts in the community. I know this is a natural reaction to an emotionally-charged topic but the end result causes damaged relationships and wounds that are hard to heal. 

Fortunately, Bainbridge Island is a community like no other — I have witnessed firsthand our collective strength when we stand united. This is a time to unite again and showcase what makes this place so special. 

I am thankful for your passion and dedication to BISD. 

In partnership,

Peter Bang-Knudsen 
BISD Superintendent