We are writing this petition on behalf of Tomlinson Adult Learning Center and the St. Petersburg community in support of not closing the school as a center that for decades has been “providing a quality learning environment which enables adults to become literate, economically self-sufficient and productive members of society” as its mission statement establishes. 
Tomlinson is too valuable of a resource to our community to be closed. Tomlinson must be preserved as one of the most emblematic places in our community. The City’s Historic preservation Team has Tomlinson on a list of eligible properties to become historic. We request that you consider our petition to allow Tomlinson Adult Learning Center to continue to serve the residents of St. Petersburg, exactly as it is currently staffed. We have heard that our beloved teachers have already been assigned to other schools beginning in January, and we are deeply disappointed about that. The Tomlinson “family” includes generations of students who have helped them. 
As a community, we understand that the pandemic has negatively affected the number of students we are receiving, but we strongly believe that there are other ways to fund Tomlinson and that the solution is not to close its doors. We know that enrollment is currently growing.

Thank you for your effort to accept this petition.

sincerely,

The Tomlinson and St. Petersburg Communities.