School District spokeswoman Jennifer Markaryan issued these facts with a press release after the North Kitsap School Board’s decision Thursday to close Breidablik Elementary School:

The North Kitsap School District began its study on school closure in January 2012. The decision was based on several years of budget cuts, continued budget challenges and steadily declining enrollment.

There are currently more than 800 open elementary seats across seven elementary schools. Enrollment projections indicate that excess seat capacity may reach more than 1,000 seats in the next three years.

North Kitsap School District made $2.4 million in budget cuts and staff reductions for the 2012-13 school years, with an additional $415,000 in reductions at the elementary level in October 2012.