A Message from Superintendent Greg Baker

Dear students, staff, families and community,

I want to provide an update on our facilities planning task force.

Given declining birthrates throughout the country, many districts, including ours, are working to make responsible decisions around the use of facilities.  We want to do this work together, with care and respect for everyone working on behalf of our children. The manner in which we move through this tough decision-making moment will shape us as much as any eventual outcome.

Digging into the data and beyond

Thank you to the 100+ people who attended our recent community learning sessions. These events were related to the task force’s work focused on enrollment trends, potential budget savings and recent bond and construction projects. The task force is using this information to understand our current reality and consider how to use our facilities in a way that is sustainable for the years to come. Thank you to those who attended.

You can view the information we shared, a recording of a recent learning session, review our FAQ (which we keep adding to) and/ or share your thoughts via this form.

As the work progresses, the task force is beginning to weigh potential options, each with their own trade-offs. These may include repurposing a school or schools, adjusting programs and/or modifying school boundaries. There is no option without impact.

Many people in our community are looking at the same set of facts about declining enrollment, aging facilities and ongoing financial pressures. Some see a need to consolidate schools to use resources more efficiently. Others see the potential loss of something deeply meaningful. These responses are understandable, and both things can be true.

Throughout this process, we will remain grounded in facts, data, equity and our collective commitment to all students across Bellingham. This means considering the entire district - all of our schools. We want to ensure decisions reflect the needs of all students and all neighborhoods.

We have also heard questions, and we’d love to clarify some information. You can see reports, resources and our work here: Facilities Planning Task Force.

Based on the questions we are hearing, we have added information and facts to our frequently asked questions, which include details on voter-approved 2022 bond projects and budget reductions over the past few years.

Next steps

The task force, made up of 34 members, is continuing to explore ideas and scenarios. We do not have a set timeline given the adaptive nature of this work, but the task force may share a recommendation with me sometime this spring. I could accept their recommendation or make further requests of the task force, but again, no formal decisions have been made.

We’ll continue to provide opportunities for input and share updates and in the meantime, you can continue to review the task force webpage.
Thanks again to the many people who are working hard to understand the changing conditions and what next steps we might take as a district and community.

Greg Baker