Salmon Bay and Licton Springs K-8s in Ballard may merge as part of Seattle Public Schools’ (SPS) declining enrollment and budget challenges.
The principals of Salmon Bay and Licton Springs, Barbara Dixon and Christy Bowman-White, sent a notice to families last week to invite them to a “family conversation” with SPS Superintendent Ben Shuldiner on December 11 to discuss the possible merger.
The letter explained that the merger is not confirmed and that the December meeting is part of Phase 1 of the possible plan. “Your voices, experiences, and perspectives are important as we begin these conversations,” the letter says.
The letter to families comes as Superintendent Shuldiner announced possible school closures and mergers in Seattle. SPS hasn’t outright named the schools that could be merged, but similar letters from principals to families at View Ridge, Decatur, Highland Park, Sanislo, Montlake, and Stevens elementary schools all suggest potential changes, according to reporting from The Seattle Times.
“Licton Springs and Salmon Bay are strong school communities with students, families, educators, and staff who care deeply about their schools,” Dixon and Bowman-White wrote in their letter to families about the meeting.
“We hope this conversation provides an opportunity to listen to one another, learn more about what families value about their school communities, and begin building relationships grounded in trust, collaboration, and a shared commitment to our students.”
In his announcement, Shuldiner said that families transferring from closed schools will get priority during open enrollment. He added that once they get through this round of mergers, he’ll do what he can to prevent more district-wide changes.
“You have my word that I will try very hard, once this year is over, to work with what we have. Large-scale change is fundamentally unsettling, even if it eventually leads to positive outcomes.”
SPS is expected to make a decision in early 2027 for changes that would impact schools for the 2027-2028 school year.