Final spring for Washington as board votes to re-purpose building

USD 489 BOE President James Leiker thanked a crowd of around 50 Washington staff and parents for their "cordial" support of Washington "that says a lot about Washington Elementary." — At Monday’s USD 489 BOE meeting, President James Leiker thanked a crowd of around 50 for their “cordial” support.

By KARI BLURTON
Hays Post

Washington will close as an elementary school effective May 19 after a decision Monday by the Hays USD 489 board.

In front of an audience of around 50 Washington staff, parents and community members, the board voted 5-1 to approve the closure and re-purpose the building to house Early Childhood Connections.

Board member Greg Schwartz was the lone dissenting vote, stating he wanted more time to evaluate the transition plan.

That plan begins immediately with Washington Principal Allen Park assisting parents and students with pre-enrollment and placing staff in other schools.

Board members echoed the sentiment that the decision was not easy, but in comparison to other schools in the district, the nearly $1,200 more per pupil cost to operate the school could not be ignored.

Washington Elementary supporters await board's decision at Monday's meeting. — Washington Elementary supporters await board’s decision at Monday’s meeting.

Board member Sarah Rankin said she could not argue smaller classrooms were better than larger ones.

“I would love if all our schools were section-one schools, but the economics are not there to support that,” Rankin said, adding the board and administration would do its “due-diligence” to monitor the progress of the 117 students moved to other schools — many of whom are English-language learners, minority, migrant or on the free or reduced lunch program.

Board member Lance Bickle agreed and stressed the importance of continuing Washington programs such “Dads and Donuts” sponsored by Messiah Lutheran in which kids bring their dads or moms to eat a free donuts, apple juice and coffee once a month before school.

“Schools are not about the four walls but about the people inside it, the teachers and everybody that make it work,” Bickle said. “I strongly feel if were to get these kids and staff to other buildings, we can still continue to do a lot these great programs.”