Board members differ on eve of school-closure meeting

Heading into their first public discussion of school-closure recommendations tonight, Seattle School Board members are already at odds.

Board member Michael DeBell wants the board to agree to some ground rules: Base the discussion on recommendations from Superintendent Raj Manhas and a citizens committee and don't add new schools to the list.

But board member Mary Bass plans to present an alternative plan at the meeting.

And member Sally Soriano said: "It's still a very fluid discussion as far as what the possibilities are, so we're looking at everything."

The board has seven weeks to decide which schools to close. A months-long process has led to this point, and Manhas' proposal — announced last week — is to close nine school buildings for the 2007-08 school year. He also recommended the district consider closing two more in the next few years.

The closures are estimated to save the district $3 million, but district officials say closing them will make the district more academically successful. Schools will have more resources because students will be less spread out.

More than 2,500 people turned out for town-hall meetings hosted by the citizens school-closure committee. The School Board is bracing for more public outcry at nearly a dozen meetings it has planned, the first on Monday at district headquarters.

It's a tough political feat for the board, which has often faced criticism for being unfocused and hesitant to lead.

"My worry is that if we head off in all directions, we won't be able to bring it to a vote," DeBell said.

Emily Heffter: 206-464-8246 or eheffter@seattletimes.com