Armstrong Elementary School has been a cornerstone of our community, shaping generations of students with quality education, dedicated teachers, and a strong sense of belonging. Now, a recommendation is being put forward by Superintendent Knowles of Pomona Unified School District to close and consolidate Armstrong Elementary with Golden Springs Elementary.

During a town hall to discuss the consolidation with us, Superintendent Knowles disclosed that the decision is based on an outdated, pre-COVID assessment that did not include input from Armstrong parents. There is no transparency of who designed criteria or how they were invited to make this decision.  It also fails to account for California restroom regulations, which require adequate facilities for student enrollment and age-appropriate restrooms for transitional kindergarten (TK) and kindergarten students.

Rather than shutting down Armstrong, we propose transforming it into a STEM Academy, preparing students for 21st-century careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. We urge Superintendent Knowles and the PUSD Board of Trustees to pause the consolidation process and allow parents and community members to present alternative solutions that will benefit our students and the district.

Why This Matters

This school is more than just classrooms and teachers—it is a pillar of our community, fostering education, friendships, and values that last a lifetime.

Closing Armstrong would:

❌ Fail to include the community, homeowners, taxpayers, teachers, parents and students to have a say in how the future of Armstrong is shaped as this has not been a transparent process for those this will affect the most

❌ Potentially fail to meet restroom requirements, violating California Department of Education Code, as current parents at Golden Springs Elementary disclosed there is not enough bathrooms for current student population 

❌ Disrupt students’ learning and remove them from a familiar, nurturing environment from quality staff, teachers and a cohort they grew up with

❌ Be based on an outdated assessment that ignored Armstrong parents

❌ Neglect an opportunity to create a STEM Academy that prepares students for the future

 

Inadequate Restroom Facilities

According to California’s Department of Education, schools must provide adequate facilities based on student enrollment. If Armstrong is consolidated, the new school will need to meet these state-mandated requirements:

• Male Students (300 boys):

• Toilets: 6 (1 per 50 students)

• Urinals: 3 (1 per 100 students)

• Sinks: 5 (1 per 60 students)

• Female Students (300 girls):

• Toilets: 10 (1 per 30 students)

• Sinks: 5 (1 per 60 students)

Additionally, per California Code of Regulations, Title 5, Section 14030, transitional kindergarten (TK) and kindergarten students must have age-appropriate restrooms within their classroom or kindergarten complex. The consolidation plan does not account for this as we discussed with Superintendent Knowles, potentially creating an unsafe and non-compliant environment for young learners.

Flawed Process: No Input from Armstrong Parents

The decision to consolidate Armstrong is based on a pre-COVID assessment that did not include any input from Armstrong parents. Since the pandemic, our community’s needs have shifted, and families deserve a seat at the table to discuss solutions that work for everyone. We demand transparency, updated data, and real community engagement before any decisions are made.

Our Solution: A STEM Academy

Rather than shutting down a thriving community school, we propose:

✅ Transforming Armstrong into a STEM Academy, preparing students for careers in technology and innovation

✅ Investing in 21st-century learning, ensuring students develop the skills needed for our changing world

✅ Keeping Armstrong open, preserving our school’s legacy and community spirit

What We Demand

We, the parents, alumni, and community members of Armstrong Elementary, call on Superintendent Knowles and the PUSD Board of Trustees to:

1. Pause the recommendation for a consolidation process and allow parents to present viable alternatives.

2. Address the restroom and facility compliance issues before making any final decisions.

3. Support the transformation of Armstrong Elementary into a STEM Academy, providing students with future-ready skills.

4. Conduct a new, post-COVID assessment that includes Armstrong parents and reflects our current needs.

This is our school, our community, and our children’s future. We refuse to stand by and watch Armstrong Elementary be closed without exploring better solutions that benefit everyone.

Sign this petition to demand action and keep Armstrong Elementary open!

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