The Olympia School District recently conducted a re-examination of its future enrollment expectations, and new forecasting suggests that the district will decline in enrollment in the years to come. As it strives to maintain its high level of service to children and families, the school board is seeking advice from its constituents regarding this challenge.
The district is seeking community members and school staff interested in serving on a School Facility Efficiency Review Committee. One OSD community member and one OSD staff member associated with each school in the district will be selected to serve on this Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC). Additionally, several student representatives, district staff and community members will also be appointed to serve.
- Apply to serve on the School Facility Efficiency Review Committee (English, Spanish, Vietnamese).
- The deadline to submit the application is 11 p.m. on Monday, September 11, 2023. A screening committee will review applicants and notify those selected to serve.
- Those not selected for this committee will be offered other opportunities to provide feedback.
Proposed Meeting Dates
The committee is scheduled to meet eight times on the following dates:
- Monday, September 25
- Monday, October 2
- Monday, October 9
- Thursday, October 19
- Monday, October 23
- Wednesday, October 25
- Monday, October 30
- Wednesday, November 1
Each meeting will be held in-person from 5:30 - 8 p.m. in the Knox 111 Administrative Center boardroom, 111 Bethel St., N.E., Olympia, 98506. Light refreshments will be served.
Citizens Advisory Committee Charter
A charter approved by the school board on August 24, 2023 outlines the following committee responsibilities:
- To study the comprehensive enrollment forecast, housing trends, staff allocations generated by state funding formula and building capacities/conditions.
- To dialogue with other members of the CAC about the diverse perspectives and needs of individual school communities, but remain focused on the needs of the district as a whole.
- To provide a variety of recommendations on school size and configuration to the board that would help the district achieve financial sustainability without reducing services or programs.
Committee facilitator is Shannon Bingham, of Western Demographics, Inc. based in Washington state and Colorado. Learn more about Bingham.
More information about the School Facility Efficiency Review Committee is available on the school district website School Facility Efficiency Review webpage. The webpage includes links to resources, including the committee charter and other related reports and information.
Committee membership will be posted on the School Facility Efficiency Review webpage once individuals are selected. The screening committee expects to announce membership on September 18.