We, the undersigned members of the Brownsville community, are writing to express our staunch support for the expansion of Brownsville Collaborative Middle School for Agriculture and Technology (BCMS) into a high school. As members of this community, we believe that this change will have a significant positive impact on our neighborhood and its students.

 
The Brownsville Collaborative Middle School has a long-standing reputation for providing high-quality education to its students. With dedicated teachers and staff, the school has consistently helped its students to achieve academic success and prepare for their futures. However, as our students progress into high school, they are forced to leave behind the community and support systems that have helped them succeed thus far.

 
Currently, there are few public high schools in Brownsville that are not transfer schools. If a rising 9th grader is not accepted to one of those schools, they are forced to leave the neighborhood entirely. This is a first for most of the students who are just 14 years old. Students have expressed concern about leaving the safety of their community and the strain it has on so many aspects of their education. Long commutes have hindered attendance records, affected grades, and prevented students from participating in extracurricular activities. Most importantly, the Brownsville community feels that the separation of students from their support systems leads to higher dropout rates. 

We believe that the expansion of Brownsville Collaborative Middle School into a high school will help address this issue. By providing a seamless transition for students from middle to high school, we can ensure that they have access to the same high-quality education and support that they have come to expect from the Brownsville Collaborative community. Additionally, a high school in our neighborhood would provide more opportunities for our young people to engage in extracurricular activities, access resources, and build a stronger sense of community. 

We understand that this transformation will require significant resources and planning, but we believe that it is worth the investment. By including a high school alongside Brownsville Collaborative Middle School, we can ensure that our students have the best possible chance to succeed in their academic and personal lives. 

We urge you to support the expansion of Brownsville Collaborative Middle School into a high school, and we thank you for your attention to this critical issue. 

Sincerely, 
The Brownsville Community