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Local News 
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Budget squeeze may close beloved Trafton school Historic Trafton Elementary School may be too expensive to keep open ARLINGTON — One of the state's oldest schools could close for good this summer if the Arlington School Board can't find a way to keep the doors open.Trafton School was established in 1888, a year before Washington achieved statehood. Rebuilt after a fire in 1912, the classic two-story building features huge windows, high ceilings, walk-in closets and an old school bell on its roof. The school is listed on the state Heritage Register and the National Register of Historic Places and is considered the oldest continuously operating small school in Washington. School district officials anticipate a $2.4 million shortfall in funding from the state during the next school year and are looking for places to cut the district's budget. By closing the school, the district could save about $300,000 a year, district officials estimated. Trafton Elementary has been on the table before, but this time the possibility of a closure seems more likely. “Trafton, along with other buildings and programs, is under review due to lower enrollment, repair needs and the extra room we have for students in our other schools,” district spokeswoman Misti Gilman said. “People expressed surprise when Trafton was on the cutting board last year, but this year more people are unemployed, the economy is still a mess and they understand the situation better.” Beloved by generations of alumni, the school is the focal point of the Trafton community northeast of Arlington. Its busy Parent-Teacher group draws hundreds of people from throughout the Arlington area to the annual Trafton Fair every September. Parents choose to send their children to Trafton Elementary because of its small, close-knit atmosphere and its devoted staff, parent Kelly Roundy said. The school serves 135 students, in kindergarten through fifth grade, from about 70 families, she said. “We're all in the same economic boat, so we get it. We get why Trafton is on the cutting board,” Roundy said. “But we'll do whatever it takes to keep it open.” Arlington School Superintendent Kristine McDuffy recently met with staff and parents of Trafton Elementary about the possibility of closing the school. During her annual state-of-the-district presentation last week, McDuffy said Arlington schools are experiencing the largest drop in state revenue that people in the district can remember. Trafton Elementary's second-grade teacher, Todd McLaughlin, calls the budgetary problems “a terrible situation.” “Trafton has such history. One of my students is a fifth-generation Trafton kid,” McLaughlin said. “We support our school board, but we still hope Trafton can stay open for another 100 years. The real problem is in Olympia, because the state is not adequately funding schools.” Arlington School District's staff of 582 serves about 5,436 students at 10 schools. The alternative program at Weston High School also is being considered for closure. Eagle Creek Elementary School several miles away in Arlington is about 200 students below its capacity and could easily take in the staff and students from Trafton. While Trafton Elementary School parents and staff don't complain, the school needs replacement of its portable rooms, updates to the main building's heating, plumbing and electrical systems, new outside stairs, and restroom, roof and bell tower repairs. The estimated cost of necessary repairs and improvements is about $850,000. Putting a bond request before the voters is not an option in the current economy, Gilman said. “No decisions have been made about Trafton Elementary School, but every budget line item is being reviewed and operational costs at every school building being examined,” Gilman said. “Somehow we made it through the cuts last year. It was tough, and this year it won't be any easier. We are working hard to keep our public informed and get their comments.” Any decisions about school closures won't be made final until August. Trafton Principal Ed Aylesworth is a Trafton School grad. He understands the emotions of staff and parents and the pride they have in the school. “But we can't let what might happen keep us from moving forward with the education of our children,” Aylesworth said. “We have to work together and see what happens. I remain optimistic.” Gale Fiege: 425-339-3427; gfiege@heraldnet.com. |
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COMMENTS
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Inaccuracies in an article do not make for "solid journalism".... sorry.
Arlington School Taxpayer 2010 | Feb 5, 2010 11:25 am | 2 replies | Request removal
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Washington became a state on Nov. 11, 1889.
An earlier version of the story posted here was inaccurate. The error has been corrected online.
A printed correction will appear in tomorrow's newspaper. Our policy is to correct all factual errors.
Robert Frank, city editor
Robert Frank | Feb 05, 2010 11:48 am | Request removal
See, they are printing a correction. Maybe they'll also buy you some strawberry ice cream then apply some kind of liniment to your aching rectum so that you'll sleep better at night. You need to stop taking yourself so seriously. I bet you if it came down to it you couldn't write a story like this, much less a check at the grocery store.
Awesome SaurusRex | Feb 05, 2010 12:05 pm | Request removal
In paragraph two the author of this article states that Trafton School was founded in 1888, one year "after" statehood. Washington became a state on November 11, 1889. Check your facts carefully before hitting the Send button
J H | Feb 5, 2010 6:17 am | 1 replies | Request removal
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I suppose "the author" would have reason to feel poorly about your astute observation but the truth is that sad, pathetic mouth-breathers such as yourself just live to troll news articles and pick them apart because A) you have nothing to do while waiting for Matlock to come on and B) you are seeking fulfillment while sitting in your Barco Lounger eating tepid tapioca with your 13 cats in your pajamas. The article was a solid piece of journalism and the best you can summon is "ZOMG TEH FOUNDING DATE WUZ WRONG!!1!" Congratulations, you fail at life. You are awarded +1 internetz.
Awesome SaurusRex | Feb 05, 2010 10:54 am | Request removal
I agree there needs to be a district-wide evaluation of finances before ANY school is closed down.
This IS an old school building...the emotions of the community aren't going to pay the bills. Neither are the current taxes apparently.
Kissing the community's backside so not to hurt anyone's feelings, is not a very objective way of balancing the school's budget either.
L R | Feb 5, 2010 10:26 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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Did the reporter attend the meeting at Trafton School Last Night?
The superintendent did NOT say that they are considering closing Trafton. She said that they are looking at everything; it was an informational meeting about the state of the school district.
The superintendent also said that there are 23 empty classrooms in the 4 elementary schools in town. So basically that equals 1 (one) whole empty elementary school in about a 2-mile radius.
Maybe the school board should temporarily adjust the school boundaries and condense those 4 elementary schools to 3 (three). They could temporarily close the elementary school that needs the most upgrading until this financial / enrollment bubble is over. And it will be.
Trafton has 6 classrooms so what would that really do to solve the problem?
Keep the history alive and look at a real solution!
Arlington School Taxpayer 2010 | Feb 5, 2010 10:04 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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Of course they threaten to close schools first when it is time to talk about budget short falls.
Last week it was we will need to close jails.
They will follow up this next week with repealing the 2/3 majority for tax increases initiative 960.
Because: it's for the children!
While all the administrators still earn 250K+ a year.
Pete McGwire | Feb 5, 2010 9:16 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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To even consider closing Trafton School I find appalling. That would be a permanent solution to a TEMPORARY problem and very short sighted in my opinion. Trafton School is older than the state of Washington and has operated continuously for 122 years to date. Generations of Stillaguamish Valley children have attended. Do we throw away a legacy for a temporary problem? I think NOT!
Coach Beau | Feb 5, 2010 8:44 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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Before anything is done to close Trafton there should be a complete audit of administration expenses. It was found in a study by a former Microsoft Exectutive that 33 percent of all monies going to the school districts is spent on administrative costs. The normal rate of administrative costs should be about one third of that. Put the children first.
Steven Lay | Feb 5, 2010 8:17 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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Sell the building or convert it to low income housing.
camano kid | Feb 5, 2010 6:21 am | 0 replies | Request removal
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