MLK: Open Dialogue & Save MLK Middle School
MLK: Open Dialogue & Save MLK Middle School
The Issue
As concerned members of the Nashville community, we are deeply affected by Dr. Battle’s plan to phase out 7th & 8th grade at Martin Luther King Jr. Academic Magnet School (MLK). This decision effectively eliminates over 40% of the academic middle magnet seats available to students in Davidson County, thereby limiting educational opportunities for students currently in 4th grade and younger. Dr. Battle's plan was made without *any* input from the stakeholders in the MLK community (students, parents, faculty, staff, alumni, etc).
Although it has been over 4 months since the plan to eliminate 7th & 8th grade at MLK has been announced, there have not been any community meetings scheduled for stakeholders to share feedback as promised. All questions/concerns sent to leaders at the MNPS Central Office and/or School Board members have gone unanswered.
By signing this petition, we are requesting community meetings to discuss the purpose/rationale/data supporting this decision, consider the unintended consequences, and garner community input and reaction. We are asking Dr. Battle, the ReimaginEd team, and the MNPS Board of Education to reflect on what voices/critical input they may be missing, ask themselves what is there to learn from this feedback, and then reanalyze the decision.
The broader MLK community unanimously supports adding 6th grade to MLK in the 25-26 school-year, thereby increasing academic magnet opportunities in middle school. This would allow more students to access MLK's high-quality education earlier on and provide continuity in their learning journey. For over 5 years, MLK has been at 80% capacity and 100% of high school (9-12) applicants have received a seat at MLK. Adding a 6th grade class of 125 students would bring the building to 90% capacity and still leave plenty of space to grow 9th-12th grade.
The importance of a strong middle school foundation cannot be overstated as it sets the stage for high school success and beyond. We urge Dr. Battle, the ReimaginEd team, and MNPS School Board to reconsider their decision, invite stakeholder feedback, and re-examine the addition of 6th grade at MLK.
Please join us in preserving educational opportunities for our children by signing this petition today!
713
The Issue
As concerned members of the Nashville community, we are deeply affected by Dr. Battle’s plan to phase out 7th & 8th grade at Martin Luther King Jr. Academic Magnet School (MLK). This decision effectively eliminates over 40% of the academic middle magnet seats available to students in Davidson County, thereby limiting educational opportunities for students currently in 4th grade and younger. Dr. Battle's plan was made without *any* input from the stakeholders in the MLK community (students, parents, faculty, staff, alumni, etc).
Although it has been over 4 months since the plan to eliminate 7th & 8th grade at MLK has been announced, there have not been any community meetings scheduled for stakeholders to share feedback as promised. All questions/concerns sent to leaders at the MNPS Central Office and/or School Board members have gone unanswered.
By signing this petition, we are requesting community meetings to discuss the purpose/rationale/data supporting this decision, consider the unintended consequences, and garner community input and reaction. We are asking Dr. Battle, the ReimaginEd team, and the MNPS Board of Education to reflect on what voices/critical input they may be missing, ask themselves what is there to learn from this feedback, and then reanalyze the decision.
The broader MLK community unanimously supports adding 6th grade to MLK in the 25-26 school-year, thereby increasing academic magnet opportunities in middle school. This would allow more students to access MLK's high-quality education earlier on and provide continuity in their learning journey. For over 5 years, MLK has been at 80% capacity and 100% of high school (9-12) applicants have received a seat at MLK. Adding a 6th grade class of 125 students would bring the building to 90% capacity and still leave plenty of space to grow 9th-12th grade.
The importance of a strong middle school foundation cannot be overstated as it sets the stage for high school success and beyond. We urge Dr. Battle, the ReimaginEd team, and MNPS School Board to reconsider their decision, invite stakeholder feedback, and re-examine the addition of 6th grade at MLK.
Please join us in preserving educational opportunities for our children by signing this petition today!
713
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Petition created on January 20, 2024