Port Angeles: Monroe closure opponents raise specter of future levy failures, home-schooling children

PORT ANGELES — Closing Monroe Elementary School could result in the Port Angeles School District’s next maintenance and operations levy attempting failing at the polls, School Board members were told Monday night.

“We definitely don’t want a school levy not to pass,” said Mark Thomas, who appeared during the board’s public comment period at Monroe.

But several Monroe parents have told him that if the School Board doesn’t see things their way, they won’t vote for the district’s next levy.

“I know this is a tough choice, but does closing a school send the wrong message?” Thomas asked.

The board is meeting Thursday at Jefferson Elementary School in the second of two public hearings as part of a school closure process timed to a final board decision in June.

But board President Charlie McClain asked Monday night if anyone in the crowd of about 50 people at Monroe wanted to speak on the topic.

Debbie Bott said she’s heard several parents say they will home-school their children or send them to private schools if Monroe is shuttered.

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