Final Olympia school closure hearing draws more than 200 to Madison Elementary; board votes Nov. 12

More than 200 parents, students and teachers packed Madison Elementary School's gym Monday night, Oct. 19, for the last of three Olympia School District hearings on a plan to close three elementary schools, KING 5 reported.

The district has proposed closing Madison, LP Brown and McKenny, citing declining enrollment. The school board is scheduled to vote on all three closures Nov. 12.

Before the hearing, protesters marched along the sidewalk outside the school, according to KING 5. Ninety-nine people signed up to speak during the meeting, which ran more than three hours. Speakers raised concerns about class sizes, longer commutes for students and lost friendships. At one point, nine teachers lined up to deliver a single speech about the school's close-knit community, the station reported.

The Olympian reported that about 100 people spoke.

Board President Jess Tourtellotte-Palumbo told KING 5 after the meeting that "this will be a difficult decision" and that she "feels for everyone who came and spoke" at the hearing. She also said she worries about what will happen if the district does not move forward with the plan, according to the station.

All three hearings were standing room only, KING 5 reported.

Under the district's plan, Madison students would move to Roosevelt Elementary. Written comments can still be mailed to Olympia School District, Attn: School Board, 111 Bethel Street NE, Olympia, WA 98506.