PETITION TO OPPOSE THE CONSOLIDATION OF SELECT POUDRE DISTRICT SCHOOLS

We, the undersigned parents, students, teachers, staff, business owners, and concerned residents across the Poudre School District strongly oppose the proposed consolidation of ANY schools listed in the scenarios presented by the Facilities Planning Steering Committee. We believe this decision will be detrimental to our students, our schools, and our community as a whole. We ask you to JUST STOP.

Our reasons for opposition include:

1. Inaccurate Enrollment Projections and their Impact on Decision-Making: Recent data suggests that Poudre School District's enrollment decline is slower than the projections used to justify school consolidations.
   Slower decline: The district initially projected a 9.26% decline in enrollment over the coming years, while other sources suggest the decline may be closer to 3.6%.
2. Disregard for Community Investment: Closing schools where recent investments have been made in air conditioning and other vital updates, undermines community trust. It raises questions about whether the district genuinely values the resources parents and communities have put into our schools.
3. Loss of Innovation and Inclusivity: Consolidating schools means sacrificing unique and valuable educational models. 
4. Community Fragmentation: Schools like Cache la Poudre are not simply buildings, but the lifeblood of their rural communities. Consolidations would erode the unique identities and close-knit support systems that define these schools, potentially forcing families to choose between long commutes or leaving their homes altogether.
5. Ignoring the Human Cost: The passionate pleas we've heard demonstrate that these are not just numbers on a spreadsheet, but beloved schools with real impact on students, teachers, and families. The district cannot afford to disregard the social and emotional consequences of these closures.
6. Increased Travel Time and its Impact on Young Students: The proposed consolidation could create significantly longer bus routes for our youngest students. This means less time at home with families, potential for increased fatigue affecting learning, and a diminished sense of safety and security for young children.
7. Potential for Decreased Educational Quality: Larger, consolidated schools may lead to overcrowded classrooms and a reduced ability for teachers to provide individual attention to our students. This could negatively impact student engagement, academic progress, and the overall educational experience our children deserve.

We believe consolidation is NOT the answer to the challenges our district faces. Instead, we urge the Poudre School District Board to consider the following alternative solutions:

• Alternative 1: Explore Alternative Funding Sources: Investigate grants, public/private partnerships, and creative fundraising initiatives to address budget shortfalls. This could include seeking out state and federal grants specifically designed for school districts in need, partnering with local businesses for sponsorship and support, or organizing community-wide fundraising events.
• Alternative 2: Optimize Existing Resources and Facilities: Conduct an audit of current school facilities and find ways to use existing spaces more efficiently. This could involve strategies like repurposing underutilized rooms, exploring shared-use agreements with community organizations, or renting out spaces when not in use for school functions.
• Alternative 3: Implement a Focused Redistricting Plan: Instead of full consolidation, consider a carefully planned redistricting/ boundary redrawing strategy that addresses enrollment disparities between schools. This could help balance student populations and optimize resource allocation without the drastic disruption of closing entire schools.

We value the education and well-being of our students. The proposed consolidation will negatively impact the quality of education they receive and the strong sense of belonging they have in their current schools.

We respectfully request that the Poudre School District Board reconsider its decision and work with our community to find solutions that preserve the excellence and identity of our schools.