Speech for Board Meeting

This is what I plan to say at tonight's board meeting.  If you have any comments/recommendations, please let me know.  I have only 2 mins to speak.

 

Hello, School Board-

My name is Jessica Warren. I am a parent of an elementary aged child and resident of Zone 38110.

The current elementary boundary proposal has planning boundary 38110 (and surrounding zones) zoned to Drew Elementary.  These zones were originally planned for Randolph Elementary in the first three proposals and are all within our Douglas Park neighborhood. They are easily and safely walkable to Randolph, which was determined by the walk task force last year. It also avoids having to cross any major roads (specifically the very busy and dangerous S Walter Reed). The new proposal continues to cut these zones off from our neighborhood, as they have been for years by being zoned to Hoffman-Boston. I’ve always somewhat felt as if we’ve been cut off from our community as we are not included in the nearby school or PTA. 

This boundary change fails to meet many of the Superintendent’s policy considerations.  Firstly, Proximity, which states "keeping students close to the schools so they can walk safely or bus ride times are minimized”.  Zone 38110 does not have many elementary age students. Therefore, it shouldn't be an issue to let us FINALLY walk to Randolph.

I understand that a bus may be provided. However, this fails to meet another of the policy considerations of "Efficiency: minimizing future capital and operating costs, as buses and crossing guards are needed. My zone has been bused to Hoffman-Boston when Randolph is only a short and safe 10 minute walk away. We are honestly, tired of having to drive our children or take the bus and deserve to go to our neighborhood school.

Finally, the consideration of Alignment is not met. This is supposed to minimize separation of small groups of students from their classmates when moving between school levels. However, these zones would be separated from their classmates during the middle school transition and sent to Jefferson Middle School, while the rest of Drew zoned students would go to Gunston.
I’m requesting that these planning boundaries be zoned back to Randolph Elementary School.  Or, if that is deemed impossible, we ask that families have the option to send their children to the very walkable and nearby Randolph Elementary School. A petition was created, and 25 signatures (out of 100 homes flyered) were received.  That is a statically significant number of households who support this request.

Thank you for your time and consideration.