Editor's Note: This letter was sent to the 36th Legislative District delegation with a copy to this newspaper.

The Ballard District Council is writing in support of the Community Schools Act 2008 (House Bill 3291 and Senate Bill 6872), which would establish a statewide grants program to help community organizations purchase surplus school buildings. The Ballard District Council is composed of representatives from 26 neighborhood associations in the Ballard district of Seattle and seeks to develop and strengthen civic leadership in the district.

As you may know, the Seattle School District recently voted to surplus five schools in the city, which has made them available for sale. While none of these properties have served as schools for many years, they have all provided vital services, such as programs devoted to arts and culture, child care facilities, open space, and community centers.

Ten years ago, as part of the Crown Hill/Ballard Neighborhood Plan development, the Ballard District Council designated one of these properties as a priority development area. The former Crown Hill School is currently home to master tenant Small Faces Child Development Center, ARC Ballet, the Crown Hill Neighborhood Association, and a large open space, which the community and City hope to develop into a park and play fields.

The arts, sports, and recreation programs at the Crown Hill School currently reach more than 1,000 children and their families each year. Please help us to preserve the former Crown Hill School, and the other surplus schools that provide vital community services and programs statewide. With the passage of this legislation we have an extraordinary opportunity to secure our surplus school buildings for continued community use and benefit.

Steven M. Cohn

President

Ballard District Council

Member Organizations

Ballard Chamber of Commerce Society Ballard High School PTSA Ballard Historical Society Ballard Merchants Association Ballard Northwest Senior Center Crown Hill Business Association

East Ballard Community Association Friends of Burke Gilman Trail Groundswell NW Loyal Heights Community Center Loyal Heights Community Council Nordic Heritage Museum

North Beach Elementary PTA North Seattle Industrial Association Norwegian Commercial Club Olympic Manor Community Club Seaview Neighborhood Association Shilshole Liveaboard Association Sunset Hill Community Association Sunset West Condominium Association Whittier Heights Community Council 36th District Demos 36th District Green Party 36th District Republicans