Petition to the Westport Board of Education: Support for Grandfathering Existing Students in the Redistricting Proposal

We, the undersigned parents, guardians, and concerned residents of Westport, respectfully urge the Westport Board of Education to support the grandfathering of all existing students, including their siblings, in light of the proposed elementary school redistricting that will affect 50 children currently enrolled at Long Lots Elementary in Phase 1, and 36 children currently enrolled at Kings Highway in phase 2. 

Background
The proposed redistricting plan aims to balance enrollment across schools, particularly addressing projected enrollments at Long Lots Elementary and the underutilization of Saugatuck Elementary. It also seeks to align Long Lots Elementary’s enrollment with its design capacity for the planned rebuild in 2028. While we recognize the need for these adjustments for the benefit of the community, we firmly believe that the emotional and educational stability of our children must remain a top priority.

Impact on Families
The proposed changes would require our children to transition to new schools during critical developmental years, potentially disrupting their social networks, educational continuity, and overall well-being. Many of these children have established strong bonds with their peers, teachers, and school staff. Changing schools at this stage would significantly impact their learning experience and emotional health.

Our Request
We respectfully request the Westport Board of Education to consider the following:

1. Grandfathering Existing Students: Allow all current students affected by the redistricting to remain at their current schools until they complete their elementary education.
2. Inclusion of Siblings: Extend this grandfathering provision to include siblings of current students, ensuring that families can remain together within the same school community.

Conclusion
We believe that granting this request will provide essential stability and support for our children during this transitional period. It will help preserve the integrity of their educational experience and maintain strong community ties.

We appreciate your thoughtful consideration of our request and look forward to collaborating to ensure the best outcomes for all students in Westport.