Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board approves OSPI waiver request after Franklin Pierce High School emergency closure
Summary
The board approved a request to submit an emergency school-closure waiver to OSPI for Franklin Pierce High School's Nov. 10, 2025 closure after an overnight safety incident involving law enforcement.
The Franklin Pierce School Board approved a request to submit an emergency school-closure waiver to the Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction for Franklin Pierce High School's closure on Nov. 10, 2025.
Deputy Superintendent Hester (S21) told the board staff were alerted by the Pierce County Sheriff's Department shortly after 10 p.m. on Nov. 9 and worked overnight to assess the situation before deciding to close on Nov. 10 "in the best interest of safety for everyone." Hester said the district later determined there was no continuing threat but that closing the building was the prudent choice at the time.
Hester also said OSPI prefers districts submit such waiver requests near the end of the school year to account for follow-ups, but the district must ensure instructional-hour compliance if the waiver is not approved. The board approved sending the waiver request; directors discussed the rarity of these requests and the district's ongoing communication with OSPI.
The decision does not imply wrongdoing or a sustained threat; it documents the district's safety response and seeks state approval so the lost instructional day does not have to be made up.
