It is the policy of the Seattle School Board that programs and services be developed, replicated, and placed in support of district-wide academic goals that address systemic needs and support quality education for all students within the context of the current student assignment plan. 

The Superintendent has the authority to make all of the closure and placement decisions for services not governed by the student assignment plan or other Board policies, and the placement decisions for programs not governed by the student assignment plan. This authority includes actions to make changes to existing programs or services, the development of new programs or services, the replication of existing programs or services, the relocation of existing programs or services, and the closure of existing services. This policy does not apply to changes in programs or services which are reserved by law or other Board policies to the School Board or Superintendent. Board approval is required for the closure of programs governed by the student assignment plan.

Placement and closure decisions must be aligned to collective bargaining agreements, legal statutes, the student assignment plan, and other Board policies. The requirement for Board approval does not apply to program and class decisions reserved to a Building Leadership Team or principal under existing collective bargaining agreements.

Board approval is required for the placement of an instructional site and, per Board Policy No. 6883, for the closure of a school or instructional site. In the event Board approval of an instructional site’s placement or closure puts students’ safety at risk, the Superintendent is authorized to make the placement or closure decision as long as the Board is informed prior to the decision being made.

Prior to making programmatic or service changes, including those requiring School Board approval, the Superintendent will take the objectives listed below into account, balancing competing needs to achieve the result that is in the best interests of students, all factors considered:

1. Place programs or services in support of district-wide academic goals;
2. Place programs or services equitably across the district;
3. Place programs or services where students reside;
4. Place programs or services in accordance with the rules of the current student assignment plan, and as appropriate, equitably across each middle school feeder region;
5. Engage stakeholders in a timely and publicly visible manner by informing, involving, and/or consulting with them as appropriate, and consider their input in the decision-making process when feasible;
6. Utilize physical space resources effectively to assure that instructional and program space needs are equitably met across the district;
7. Ensure that fiscal resources are taken into consideration, including analyzing current and future fiscal impacts; and
8. Analyze the impact of any decision before it is made, by using data, research and best practice

The relevant factors considered and the basis for each change shall be documented in writing. 

The Superintendent is authorized to establish Superintendent Procedures or administrative guidelines to implement this policy.