June 1, 2021

Ben K. Rast
Industrial Hygiene Compliance Officer
DOSH Region 2

RE: State of Washington Department of Labor and Industries Notice for Complaint #209482467

Dear Mr. Rast:

Thank you for your letter dated May 25. Seattle Public Schools has investigated the complaint of possible hazards
at Broadview-Thomson K-8 School located at 13052 Greenwood Ave. N, Seattle. The reported hazards were
described as a “Homeless encampment permitted on school grounds has led to weapons, drugs, and fighting on
school grounds by the camp residents, posing a safety hazard to both students and staff.”

Seattle Public Schools acknowledges that there are unsheltered persons residing in an unauthorized encampment
on property owned by the district (see attached map). This parcel is adjacent to the Broadview-Thomson K-8
School and consists of a green space with trees, bushes, and grassy areas that are primarily accessible from the
Bitter Lake Playfield, which is owned by the Seattle Department of Parks and Recreation. The property is
separated from the Broadview-Thomson campus by an embankment and a six-foot fence. Historically, it has been
maintained by Seattle Parks and Recreation.

We are not aware of any credible reports indicating weapons, drugs, or fighting present on Broadview-Thomson
school grounds or in any workspace of the school staff. It also should be noted that the district has not at any time
permitted or authorized camping on its property.

By way of background, there have been unsheltered persons camping in the area during the past year, primarily at
the Bitter Lake Playfield. During this period, the City of Seattle was known to tolerate a greater degree of
camping in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, per recommendations from public health authorities. However,
maintenance work being performed by the city at the playfield prompted campers to relocate to the area owned by
the district. Seattle Public Schools staff have engaged in communications with various city departments to request
support in removing the encampment from district property in a manner the mitigates the harm to its residents.
Those discussions continue.

During this time, the district has worked to make the Broadview-Thomson campus as safe as possible. This has
included the installation of buzzed entry features, card readers, and cameras. A security specialist also was
assigned to the site and a privacy screen is being installed on the fence between the playground and the camp.
Building security and custodial staff do checks of the general grounds and fencing at least once a day, and exterior
doors are checked multiple times a day.

While the district is committed to supporting the staff at this school in light of the current unprecedented situation,
including the mitigation of risks, the encampment and alleged associated hazards have not taken place in the
workspaces of the staff at Broadview-Thomson K-8 or on the school grounds. The encampment that does exist on
the adjacent property has not been granted permission to remain, and the district will work toward its removal.

Sincerely,

Benjamin Coulter
Assistant Manager, Safety and Security
Seattle Public Schools
Benjamin Coulter, Assistant Manager of Safety and Security
P.O. Box 34165, MS 11-371, Seattle, WA 98124