Dear Superintendent Best and DJUSD Board of Directors,

We, the undersigned members of the Patwin community, are writing to express our deep concern and strong opposition to the decision to eliminate one of the two kindergarten classes at Patwin Elementary School for the 2024-2025 school year. This reduction will have far-reaching and detrimental effects on our children, our school, and our community as a whole. These include:

Impact on Education

The removal of a kindergarten class will trigger a cascading effect in every following year, likely leading to the reduction of classes and staff at every grade level. This could eventually lead to the shutdown of the entire school, which would negatively impact families of school-age children.

Community-Wide Impacts

A thriving local school is a cornerstone of a vibrant community. The closure of kindergarten classes—and potentially the school itself—will negatively affect the West Davis community by lowering the attractiveness of the surrounding neighborhood to younger families, eroding community stability by reducing community cohesion and spirit, and negatively affecting property values.

Our Request

We respectfully urge the DJUSD Board to reconsider and reverse the decision to eliminate one of the kindergarten classes at Patwin Elementary School. Maintaining both kindergarten classes is essential for providing equitable education, ensuring the long-term viability of our school, and preserving the strength and appeal of our community.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. We look forward to your positive response and to working together to support our school and community.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned