Latest issueOlympia's school board votes 4-1 to close three elementary schoolsRead now

Daily OlympiaSubscribe — it’s free

← Olympia news

SchoolsSaturday, November 14

Five parents ask a court to undo the Olympia school closure vote

The Daily Olympia teamFrom today’s edition · 1 min read · 3 sources

ShareEmailFacebookX

Five parents who are attorneys filed a Notice of Appeal Friday in Thurston County Superior Court, a day after the board's vote. They ask the court to invalidate it, according to a press release from the families.

More than 700students the closures would displace, per the parents

"The school board's decision will displace more than 700 students from their neighborhood schools," appellant Maurice King wrote in the press release.

Source: KOMO

The parents say the district fell short of state law on public engagement. They allege RCW 28a.335.020 requires the board to adopt a closure policy with separate hearings for each targeted school, plus an impact analysis, before it closes any. They also object that Murphy presented a proposal without a formal request from the board.

  • Filed: Fri., Nov. 13, Thurston County Superior Court
  • Claim: the district didn't hold enough public hearings
  • Claim: board policy doesn't meet citizen-engagement requirements
  • A district spokesperson didn't respond to KOMO's request for comment

The closure plan went from a September proposal to a court filing

  1. SeptemberSuperintendent Murphy first brings up closing the schools.
  2. Nov. 12The board votes 4-1 to close Madison, McKenny and LP Brown.
  3. Nov. 13Five parents file a Notice of Appeal in Thurston County Superior Court.

Sources: KIRO 7 News Seattle, KOMO, The Olympian

LP Brown parent Katie Marr says she plans to attend every single board meeting. Murphy, who first brought up the plan in September, called consolidation "a very difficult but necessary step" at Thursday's meeting.

Sources: The Olympian, KOMO, KIRO 7 News Seattle

Read it in the full edition

More from today’s edition

Read the edition
SchoolsOlympia's school board votes 4-1 to close McKenny, Madison and LP Brown elementary schoolsThe Olympia School District board voted 4-1 Thursday to pass Resolution 689, closing McKenny, Madison and LP Brown elementary schools ahead of the 2027-28 school year. Director Maria Flores cast the one no vote. Nearly 200 people rallied at Madison Elementary before the Nov. 12 meeting.Today’s editionRead

More schools from local newsrooms

All schools news

  1. KOMOYesterday

    Olympia families file appeal, fight school closure vote

    Olympia families are suing the school district over its decision to close three schools.The school board voted Thursday night to shutter Madison, McKenny, and LP Brown elementary schools.

  2. The Daily ChronicleYesterday

    Abbarno invites students to apply for the 2027 House Page Program

    Washington state Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Chehalis, is encouraging students throughout the 20th Legislative District to apply for the 2027 Washington State House of Representatives Page Program. …

  3. The OlympianYesterday

    Parents sue Olympia School District after decision to close three schools

    Five parents filed an appeal after the Olympia School Board voted to close Madison, McKenny and LP Brown, alleging insufficient public engagement.

  4. The OlympianYesterday

    Olympia school closure vote determines future of Madison, McKenny and LP Brown

    The Olympia School District board voted 4-1 to close Madison, McKenny and LP Brown elementary schools amid declining enrollment and a $3.1M annual savings plan.