Korean Language Online Community Forum – November 1

Date: November 1, 2023

Forum Participants: 8

Combined Notes

A note to the reader: These are the combined raw notes from the small group discussions at this forum. These notes have not been edited except to remove names and correct spelling or grammar. They have been consolidated to share the combined responses to each question. Additionally, they were translated to English.

Question 1: To best utilize district resources, should we consider consolidating a school or continue to operate five schools with reduced resources and programming?

• In the data, are we including only Bellevue-resident students or is this data including open enrollment students? A lot of families outside Bellevue chose to come to Tyee and Sammamish – there was a big population movement from Issaquah district to Bellevue. I am concerned with consolidation; it will increase school size in some schools and Issaquah residents already enrolled in BSD will be forced to disenroll in the future.
• We have concerns about consolidation because we have seen the impacts from the elementary school consolidation. Impacted students and families feel not heard, not adjusting to new school because they feel far away (not in their neighborhood anymore), reduced bus service is really hard on the students and families. Also, BSD announced that there will be emotional supports and counselors, but for many students, they have not felt supported or accessible. What is the district’s real plan?
• This year, a lot of students came from outside Bellevue. My neighborhood falls very closely between Issaquah and Bellevue district, and as BSD opened up spots, there was big population movement from Issaquah district to Bellevue (Tyee middle school and Sammamish). If consolidation happens, will the Issaquah district students will be kicked out ? Can we actively enroll more students from outside of Bellevue and continue having 5 schools open without having to reduce resources?
• I want to know the purpose of this consolidation study. Are we finalizing to decide to think student number issue is a fact and making this consolidation study? Even the data seems too soon to determine. We could need to consolidate in many years later, but we cannot do that now because it will be too chaotic! Can we approach this as a long-term project? The enrolled students already form good bond with their friends, and it is hard to break that based on the data and 7-10 years futures’ projection.

Question 2: What aspects of the middle school experience are most important to you/your student?

• Education and activity opportunities are important. My oldest child went to Chinook and had enriched club, after school activities, and field trips. This year, my youngest one is not having much of that enriched experience due to shortages. This has reduced the quality of experience for the child. Also, students are worried that clubs they are actively involved will be gone next year. They put a lot of effort and love doing it and it will be very unfortunate to lose those opportunities.
• Diverse experience is important. Students in my child’s school is already having rumors that their school is at risk of closing. Our children and their friends are worrying a lot. The programs they are worried that their programs they are involved will be closing, and their clubs will no longer be available. For example, since Olde and Tyee both has Advance Learning program, and if district decides to close one of those schools, would that mean that the opportunity for their Advance Learning will be gone? Enriched social interaction they have now will be gone if schools are consolidated. For middle schoolers, friendship is most important and if students will be located to different schools, it will be impacting their middle school experience negatively.
• There are teacher dependent clubs. If the resources are reduced, how will it affect all these clubs??
• Transparency of decision making!!! Last year, Enatai was one of the elementary schools to be closed but they did not. Rumors are because they are in rich neighborhood. There was not much transparency or announcement from BSD. Nowhere on the website says the logistics behind decision making. To avoid rumors, we want to know CLEARLY the decision points.

Question 3: If we were to consolidate one middle school, what priorities or factors are important that you think we should consider?

• OUR STUDENTS!!!! They are in their sensitive time of life where social and emotional support is important. They would not want to be separated from their friends and teachers that they have already created a bond with.
• Geographically, Highland and Odle are very close, and these two seem like to be the most affected school from this consolidation result if it will happen. Does that mean these two schools will combine?
• If so, what will be the boundary of school? Will it be combining these two schools? Or will the boundary be affected?
• Will the transportation issue be covered? We are struggling this year already with School bus service. We don’t have transportation available every day and it is already an added struggle to families. Currently, after the consolidation, elementary school students take more than an hour to get to school which is too long.
• This year, a lot of students came from outside Bellevue. My neighborhood falls very closely between Issaquah and Bellevue district, and as BSD opened up spots, there was big population movement from Issaquah district to Bellevue (Tyee middle school and Sammamish). If consolidation happens, will the Issaquah district students be kicked out?
• Once we are consolidated, will we have the transportation issues covered? My child was affected by the elementary school consolidation last year, and because of the shortage of drivers it has become very uncomfortable to commute to school.
• What are the factors in choosing which school to close?

Question 4: What questions do you have?

• Is the reduced student population issue an overall reduction or is this happening in specific location or school? What is the reduction rate of each school?
• If we keep 5 schools, are we going to have more limited learning opportunities? Can you explain what kinds of services will be impacted?
• Will the change happen right away starting next school year? It would be nice to make the gradual change so that it would be an easier transition.
• For last year’s elementary school consolidation, there was not a clear explanation behind the logistics why certain schools closed. There are rumors that schools in rich neighborhood (Enatai) was one of the candidates but it did not close. Without clear
• If we do the open enrollment, wouldn’t it only help the popular schools remain and non-preferred school to get consolidated?
• If the schools get consolidated, will the specific features of those schools be gone as well? Each school seems to have clubs that has significant importance to each school. Will this be also gone? It will be so negatively impactful to students.
• Are we absolutely not thinking about consolidating the choice schools? Are these schools out of discussion?
• My child’s school does not have room to accommodate all students and uses multiple portable classrooms. If the school utility rate shows it is low already, can we use those spaces instead of the portables? Or is this overall usage? I would appreciate to know the utility rate of individual schools.
• Will we be talking about high school consolidation in the next few years??
• I live in the neighborhood which school gotten closed down last year (Eastgate). I have seen a lot of sad elementary students then and still unable to cope with their loss.
• Friends are separated, teachers are no longer there. Passing over I-90 feels too far and they do not feel connected to the new school. They were told there would be social emotional support, but it does not seem to be very supportive, nor do students find it helpful. It is already a sad loss and i am very concerned we are having this conversation again for the middle schoolers. Middle school is the time friendship is more firm and bonding gets strong. The district says there will be social emotional support. But can you tell us what kind of support you are planning?
• When Wilburton closed down, they let the 5th graders remain so that they could finish as 5th grade cohort together. I think that was helpful to that grade. Can such transition be supported if consolidation has to happen??

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