We, the parents, students, and alumni of Alvarado Middle School (AMS) and residents of the New Haven Unified School District (NHUSD) School District hereby petition the NHUSD Board of Education to reverse its decision to rename AMS. Our petition is motivated by the following observations: 
  
Lack of Focus on Proper Priorities. Our board cannot focus on business of substance that will have a direct impact on student achievement and quality of education while it is distracted with a conflict over facility renaming.

Insufficient Opportunity for Public Discussion: The parents, students & community were not given sufficient opportunity to have a voice and inform the Board’s decision.

Lack of Adherence to Explicit Board Policy: To rename an existing facility, NHUSD policy #F-7310 states that “The renaming of existing schools or major facilities shall occur by the Board of Education only under extraordinary circumstances and after thorough study.” Extraordinary circumstance are not present, and thorough study has not been conducted.

Casting Aside a Brand That is Working: Alvarado Middle School has established a fantastic reputation and brand. Why fix something that is not broken?

Lack of Fairness: An NHUSD facility’s name should reflect characteristics with which the entire community can identify, without making political or cultural factors a principal element in choosing a facility’s name.

Unsatisfactory Estimate of the Financial Burden:  Estimates of cost provided thus far (about $10,000) are not realistic. Additionally, we have no legally binding assurances that district money will not be used.