Board approves relocation of Interagency Academy Southwest and Bridges program; staff to confirm accessibility timelines

The Seattle Public Schools board unanimously approved a plan to relocate the Interagency Academy Southwest campus currently at the Roxhill Annex to an "acceptable Southwest" site and to establish a new Interagency Academy site at Alan T. Sugiyama High School. The board also approved relocating a Bridges program site from Roxhill Annex to Chief Sealth International High School.

Dr. Monica Campbell, presenting the item, said staff had toured Southwest Youth & Family Services as a prospective Interagency site and were working on contractual details. She said the Bridges students — a program serving older students focused on independent living and employment skills — will be placed in a dedicated space on the Chief Sealth campus to provide access to transportation, work sites and on‑campus services like hot lunch.

Board members pressed for accessibility details. Director Rankin asked whether accessible restrooms would be available at Chief Sealth. Staff replied that adaptive restrooms adjacent to the portables are currently available and that portables are plumbed; staff said they intend to provide a bathroom specifically for Bridges students in the portable space but that the exact completion date was "not specified" at the meeting and that staff would provide a timeline. Director Sarju urged the board to require a definitive date before students arrive; staff committed to following up with the capital team and emailing the board.

Presenters said the moves are intended to place programs in settings with better services and partnerships; staff said they met with Interagency and Bridges staff, students and families in recent weeks about the moves. The motion passed by roll call vote with no dissent.