Two schools in Blaine may merge next year, as part of the district’s efforts to address ongoing financial challenges.
One of several proposals by the district, the merger of Blaine Primary School’s first and second grades with Blaine Elementary School’s third, fourth and fifth grades would save the district around $600,000 in duplicative services, Superintendent Chris Granger estimated.
Under this proposal, Blaine Primary School would serve as an “early learning center,” with preschool, transitional kindergarten and kindergarten classes, while the elementary school would serve first through fifth grade. The district would save money by, for example, not having to operate two offices and two cafeterias right next to each other.
The district is looking to close an anticipated $2.5 million to $3 million deficit in the upcoming school year, a gap that continues to be exacerbated by underfunding by the state and enrollment declines. That deficit will ultimately result in the elimination of some positions, but Granger hopes a merger would reduce that number.
An FAQ published by the district advocates for the merger to retain “as many supports as possible, and specifically in the areas of office staff, health staff, behavioral support and library.”
The proposal isn’t a final plan. Blaine School Board briefly discussed the proposal at its Monday, Feb. 24 meeting, and will likely talk further about options for a merger during its next meeting at the end of March.
Some community members are against the idea of a merger: A petition that has garnered more than 300 signatures as of Tuesday argues that it would “dilute the quality of individual attention to each kid, and cause various logistical chaos.”
The Blaine Education Association, which represents certificated faculty, hasn’t seen a concrete proposal yet, but advocated for the district to “consider all options with input from the community and staff and to approach the conversations with transparency and a shared commitment to ensuring the long-term success of the Blaine School District,” said Co-President Julie Creager in an email.
District seeks other cost savings
The district is also exploring other cost-savings, in addition to the proposed school merger.
The merging of several departments under a new structure could save the district another $300,000. A two-bell system, which would result in some schools starting later than others, could save the district roughly $45,000. However, Granger said after feedback from parent groups, the district is not considering a two-bell system for next year, as long as the merger goes through in some form.
The district is also looking to improve enrollment, which has declined from 2,330 students in 2019-20 to 1,981 at the beginning of the current school year. Granger characterized some of the enrollment decline as out of the district’s control, but said a new virtual learning option in the high school has yielded some “initial success.” He said they’re hoping to expand that option to middle school, and eventually, to K-5.
“I recognize that there’s frustration locally with decision makers around having to make these really difficult decisions,” Granger said. “These decisions locally are a result of the lack of adequate funding from the state and meeting their constitutional obligation to fully fund education.” Since 2020, funding gaps in special education, materials, supplies and operating costs, and transportation have cost the district $24.21 million.
“On the budget, it’s another bitter pill we’ve got to swallow here,” Board President Cliff Freeman said at the Monday meeting. “There’s no easy decisions.”
Over the past two years, Blaine has already seen significant reductions. In 2024, the district cut around 30 staff members to address an expected deficit of $2.5 million. The year before, the district cut nearly 60 staff positions.
Granger said he hopes the community works together “to try to reach the best of many bad options,” while continuing advocacy to the state Legislature to fully fund education.
Charlotte Alden is CDN’s general assignment/enterprise reporter; reach her at charlottealden@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 123.
