My child, like many others, is thriving in the nurturing, supportive environment that Scenic Elementary School offers. Scenic has consistently ranked as not just one of the best performing schools in our district but sits in the states 90th percentile for student progress ratings and test scores. In 2019, Scenic was recognized with the "Governor’s Distinguished Improvement Award" ranking in the top 8 percent of Colorado public schools that demonstrate the highest rates of longitudinal growth. The staff at Scenic have truly cracked the code for engaging students and consistently helping students perform far beyond expectations.

Yet, in an unexpected and unfortunate turn of events, Scenic has been recommended for closure by the Superintendent, Brian Hill. The reason for the closure is based on a formula that was used to grade the schools that were in consideration for closure. This formula is weighted as follows:

Building Adequacy - Average Weight = 45.3
Transportation/Proximity - Average Weight = 20.6
Low Enrollment - Average Weight = 11.6
Logic of Future Boundaries - Average Weight = 8.7
School Performance - Average Weight = 7.6
Geographic Future Growth - Average Weight = 6.4

Scenic is falling victim to the heavy weight that Building Adequacy carries. Enrollment is increasing as Scenic remains one of the most popular "School of Choice" schools and is situated in a rapidly growing area with many large developments ongoing. 

Why close one of our best and most embedded schools based on the building adequacy alone. Closing Scenic doesn't just uproot our children from their familiar learning environment, it negates the countless hours and years of hard work our educators have put into making Scenic the respected institution it is today.

Other options to address the building adequacy challenge must be explored fully before resorting to shutting down a successful school.

It is fair, before taking any drastic action, to first exhaust all measures such as selling off surplus school district property or implementing additional Mill and Levy initiatives to fund the improvements required to keep this school open. A combination of these efforts alone would easily cover the costs that were estimated to bring the building adequacy score up to sufficient levels. 

In the interest of our children's continued education, we urge the School Board to step back and reconsider their decision. Our community and most importantly, our children, stand to lose too much. We plead with the board to keep Scenic Elementary open and let our children continue their education uninterrupted. Please sign this petition and join our fight to preserve the “Work Hard and Be Nice” tradition that Scenic embraces.