Early Learning Center parent and attorney Samantha Sommerman speaks to an audience who were largely against the Early Learning Center’s closure at the June 25 EvCC board meeting.
Photo by Amy Gilbert McGrath
EVERETT — The Everett Community College (EvCC) Board of Trustees voted 5-0 to close the Early Learning Center (ELC) as planned on June 30 at a special board meeting June 26. The meeting was scheduled with about 24 hours’ notice after a Snohomish County judge ruled June 25 that the college and board had violated the state Open Public Meetings Act by closing the center without a board vote or opportunity for public comment.
Several parents, students, and staff took the opportunity to make comments, with many pointing out the short notice given for the meeting and expressing their frustrations that it felt like the meeting was just a formality.
“It is not that you can’t afford to keep it open. You can. And while it may be true that you can pack more kids into that building, we would be sacrificing quality for quantity and we have to do both,” attorney and center parent Samantha Sommerman, who represented a fellow parent in the suit that was ruled in their favor June 25. Sommerman outlined a budget plan that would allow the college to retain the center by offering additional classes.
“We could open more classrooms in the current model; we could serve more people in the current model. You’ve chosen not to, and you have the power to fix that,” Sommerman said.
EvCC President of Human Resources Josh Ernest outlined the college’s concerns with the budget deficit and applicable laws associated with closing the center. EvCC plans to lease the ELC space to an external childcare provider.
When board voted unanimously to pass the resolution. In response, opponents erupted into chants of “Shame, shame, shame,” prompting the board chair to call for order before adjourning the meeting.
Snohomish Council Council member Megan Dunn sent a letter to the Board with the signatures of as many local elected officials sign the letter as she could given the short time frame.
“If we need to adjust those contracts of the types of programs that are funded, that’s something that we’re happy to talk about. We had not been notified of the center closing,” Dunn said, asking the board to consider a way forward.
“I hope you’ll listen with an open heart and think about ways to continue to keep the Early Learning Center open so that can meet the challenges that it may or may not be facing,” Dunn said.
Nichole Lengyel has been active in fighting to keep the Early Learning Center since the first time EvCC planned to close its doors in 2022. She brought her son Michael with her to comment.
“I can’t imagine a college or a state or anyone signing off on closing a high-quality learning center in the middle of what’s being called a childcare desert,” Lengyel said.
She continued, sharing her love for EvCC and her frustrations over the situation. Lengyel, whose son has autism, praised the teachers for their experience and expertise in helping all types of learners. Her son Michael ended their comments by simply stating, “I love my school.”
The Early Learning Center received about $150,000 from the City of Everett and $293,520 from Snohomish County, both in reallocated COVID relief funds between 2022 - 2024 to stay open. Snohomish County funding ended last October, and the city’s support will run out this September. The college expected a $300,000 deficit for the 2026 fiscal year.
“These decisions aren’t easy and it’s heartbreaking…I hear you loud and clear but as trustees we also have fiduciary responsibilities and part of that responsibility is to ensure that the college itself can survive. It impacts each and every aspect of every operation and we take that responsibility very seriously,” board chair Jerry Martin said.
Board member Bob Bolerjack expressed a similar sentiment and his approval of the resolution after prior review of the financial documents. Dr. Betty Cobbs was in attendance, while vice chair Kelly Shepherd and board member Joe Davis joined via Zoom.
As the crowd dispersed following the meeting, ELC teachers, parents and students exchanged heartfelt farewells—many embracing and lingering together in the college’s Jackson Conference Center.
