Expert Questions Formula Behind Proposal to Close Two Bellingham Elementary Schools

Happy Monday, Bellingham. It is August 10 and we have a sunny week kicking off with a few stories worth knowing before you get going. School news, wildfire updates, and a fascinating look at the rocks beneath your feet at the beach. Let's get into it.

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Today’s Weather: Bellingham gets a beautiful Monday with sunny skies and a high near 68. South winds at 2 to 6 mph will keep things comfortable. Tonight stays mostly clear with a low around 55. Full forecast from the National Weather Service.

Schools

Expert Questions Formula Behind Proposal to Close Two Bellingham Elementary Schools

A proposal to close two Bellingham elementary schools is facing pushback from an education expert who says the state formula driving the decision may be flawed. Lauren Dudley, a Western Washington University education instructor, is raising concerns about the school-size formula used to justify the closures. She is not alone: state lawmakers have also begun questioning it.

The proposal would affect Carl Cozier and Columbia elementary schools. Dudley argues that closing those buildings would ripple through every neighborhood in the district, not just the ones served by those two schools. Enrollment shifts, boundary redrawing, and capacity questions at remaining schools would follow district-wide.

With back-to-school season a few weeks away, this is a story families across Bellingham are watching closely. Full details on the proposal and what it could mean here.

Schools

Lummi Island's Beach Elementary Will Have Just One Teacher This School Year

Beach Elementary School on Lummi Island is heading into the new school year with only one teacher after enrollment continued to decline. Last year, the island community mounted a major fundraising effort to keep a second teacher on staff. This year, that kind of effort was not feasible again.

School and district officials describe the ongoing fundraising model as unsustainable. The situation at Beach Elementary reflects broader pressures facing small, remote schools: ferry costs, a tight housing market on the island, and families simply moving away.

It is a quiet story that says a lot about what it takes to keep a small community school alive. Read the full story here.

Safety

Luna and Border 2 Fires Keep Burning in North Cascades With Zero Containment

Two lightning-caused wildfires are still burning without containment inside the North Cascades National Park Service Complex. As of Sunday, August 9, the Luna Fire had grown to 3,583 acres. The fire started July 2 about 10 miles north of Newhalem. The Border 2 Fire is also active in the same remote, steep terrain.

Thirty-two personnel are assigned to the Luna Fire under Incident Commander Ben Goodwin. A Type 3 helicopter has been running bucket operations along Big Beaver Creek, and a ground crew is working near Beaver Pass to protect structures in the area.

Trail closures are in effect in affected areas. If you are planning a trip into the North Cascades this summer, check current conditions before heading out. Get the latest fire details and closure information here.

Nature + Local

The Science Behind Those Holey Rocks on Whatcom County Beaches

If you have ever walked along the shoreline at Larrabee State Park and stopped to stare at those strange, pockmarked rocks, you are not alone. Those clusters of cavities have a name: honeycomb weathering. And there is real science behind how they form.

Salt water evaporation and the growth of algae and lichen team up over time to carve out those stark little holes in the sandstone. The rocks at Wildcat Cove are a prime local example, and Cascadia Daily News took a close look at the geology this week.

It is the kind of thing that makes a beach walk feel a little more interesting once you know what you are looking at. Read the full explanation and find out where to spot them.

Home Sweet Bellingham

What Is Happening in the Bellingham Housing Market This August?

August is typically one of the more active months in the Bellingham real estate market, with families wrapping up moves before school starts and buyers making decisions before fall slows things down. A few things worth keeping in mind as you watch the market this week:

The city's recent conversations about tiny homes, accessory dwelling units, and parking requirement changes are still working through the policy process. If those proposals advance, they could meaningfully expand what is buildable on existing lots in neighborhoods across Bellingham. The council's direction on low-income incentives is also one to watch for buyers and renters alike.

Thinking about what you can get in different Bellingham neighborhoods right now? The Bellingham.org neighborhood guide is a solid starting point, and the Northwest MLS has current listings by area. Whether you are in Fairhaven, Cordata, or somewhere in between, inventory and pricing have been shifting month to month this year.

Sponsored

Start the Week Fresh With Cascade Home Cleaning

With school season just around the corner and summer routines winding down, Monday is the perfect time to reset your home. Cascade Home Cleaning is offering 50% off your first deep clean when you sign up for recurring services. That is a serious deal for a clean slate heading into fall.

This offer expires at the end of the week, so do not sit on it. Cascade Home Cleaning serves Bellingham and the surrounding area with friendly, reliable, locally-based cleaning crews who know what it means to keep a home running right.

Book your clean and claim the offer at cascadehomecleaning.com.

The Upcoming Week