Ballard High School, preschool partnership to end
When Casa Maria Montessori preschool moves out of Ballard High School at the end of June, it will mark the end to a learning partnership between Seattle high schools and preschools.
Seattle Times staff reporter
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KEN LAMBERT / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Ballard High School senior Ashley Weyerts, 18, works with preschool children as part of an internship at Casa Maria Montessori at the high school. The school is taking back the preschool space at the end of June for a new program for students with autism.
When Casa Maria Montessori preschool moves out of Ballard High School at the end of June, it will mark the end to a learning partnership between Seattle high schools and preschools.
Advocates say these programs — there were once three partnerships — gave high-school students invaluable insight into child care and early-childhood education.
But the district has been hammered by budget cuts — the closure comes at a time when the school district is laying off 85 central-staff office employees this year in an effort to cut expenses. The state also has cut K-12 funding throughout Washington during the past two years, and the district's subsequent cuts have included laying off dozens of teachers, closing schools, using savings and streamlining transportation.
It's a matter of space, too, said Ballard High School Principal Phil Brockman. School-enrollment numbers haven't increased during the past few years, but the school has a new program for students with autism that needs the preschool space.
