Our small, tight-knit neighborhood will be profoundly affected by the proposed changes in the boundary lines for AISD (Austin Independent School District) middle school and elementary school. A handful of families would find ourselves rezoned from Gorzycki Middle School—the closest school to neighborhood less than two miles away—to Small Middle School, which is significantly farther away. An even smaller amount would be rezoned from Baldwin Elementary to Clayton Elementary, also significantly impacting just a handful of families. This alteration not only disrupts the educational journey of our children but also poses logistical challenges, excessive transportation costs and overlap, and emotional distress to our community.

Gorzycki Middle School has always been more than just an educational institution for us; it is an integral part of our community's fabric. With its proximity, many of our children walk or bike to school, promoting a sense of independence and responsibility while ensuring their safety. Moreover, it allows for better community involvement, as parents can easily participate in school activities, meetings, and events—fostering a stronger bond between the school and the neighborhood.

The new zoning to Small Middle School exacerbates commuting times, imposes additional transportation costs, and decreases the feasibility of parental involvement, as the distance, construction, and traffic commute is a significant deterrent. This change undermines our community's close relationships and shared values and disrupts many families carpooling and shared workload. 

In addition to the personal disruption, this rezoning decision lacks foresight and disregards the importance of maintaining geographic consistency in school assignments. Gorzycki Middle School and our neighborhood share more than proximity; we share a history of collaboration and mutual support. The school understands the unique dynamics and needs of our children, offering tailored programs and support which may not be available at another institution.

We understand that boundary changes are indeed necessary at times to accommodate growing populations and resource distribution. However, such decisions must be made with careful consideration of the impact on local communities and with transparency in the decision-making process. Our neighborhood was not consulted, nor informed adequately about these proposed changes. This change would affect less than 25 students over the next decade, so keeping the entire neighborhood in their currently zoned boundaries (Baldwin and Goryzcki) seems to be a feasible accommodation that can be made. 

We urge the AISD  board of trustees to reconsider the Granada Hills boundary line changes. We believe that with thoughtful assessment and community involvement, a solution can be found to keep all of our small but close community zoned together as it currently stands. 

Sign this petition to support our effort to maintain the sense of unity, convenience, and safety that  Baldwin Elementary and Gorzycki Middle School provides for our children and neighborhood.

What else can you do as a Granada Hills resident?

Fill out a comment on AISD webpage before 10/28 

Email the board of trustees who will vote on 11/20