Bellingham Schools Will Close Two Elementary Campuses
Carl Cozier and Columbia Elementary will shut down at the end of the 2026-2027 school year to cut costs.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Bellingham Public Schools plans to close Carl Cozier Elementary and Columbia Elementary at the conclusion of the 2026-2027 academic year. The decision stems from declining enrollment and a widening gap between state funding and district expenses.
Why it matters
The closures are a response to financial pressures caused by lower birth rates and local cost-of-living challenges. By consolidating campuses, the district aims to better align facility capacity with its current student population.
A task force of more than 30 people held eight meetings to review district conditions and projected $2.2 million in annual savings from the closures. The plan currently awaits final school board approval.
The players
Bellingham Public Schools
This is the primary school district serving the city of Bellingham, Washington.
Facilities Planning Task Force
This group of more than 30 individuals was assembled to evaluate district needs and enrollment trends.
The details
The Facilities Planning Task Force determined the closures after reviewing enrollment trends, facility conditions, and programmatic needs. Following the closures, students currently at Columbia will transfer to Alderwood Elementary, while Carl Cozier students will move to Sunnyland and Wade King elementary schools.
Timeline
The Facilities Planning Task Force met eight times during the spring of 2026.
Carl Cozier and Columbia Elementary will close at the end of the 2026-2027 academic year.
Students will transition to their new campuses in August 2027.
Market Landscape
The district's decision follows a national trend of declining K-12 public school enrollment that is forcing many districts to consolidate facilities to maintain financial viability. This move positions Bellingham Public Schools to address systemic funding gaps by rightsizing its footprint against long-term demographic shifts.
Families affected by the closures will see their students transition to new schools in August 2027 based on updated attendance maps. Parents should monitor upcoming school board sessions to stay informed on final approval timelines and administrative transitions.
The takeaway
School districts are increasingly forced to manage the impact of lower birth rates and shifting population density on their facilities. Families can prepare by reviewing the district's new attendance boundaries to understand their future school assignments.
Further reading
For more on local infrastructure changes, visit the Bellingham Openings & Closings section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Bellingham Herald.
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