As a parent of children who currently attend Genoa and an aide in the Kindergarten classroom, the announcement of the closure of Genoa and Dunlow Elementary Schools came as a devastating blow. These are not just schools; they are pillars standing at the heart of our rural community. They serve not only to educate our children but also tie our community together. The schools' closure will imminently have serious implications on the fabric of our community, causing it to crumble.

Rural schools such as Genoa and Dunlow, despite their size, play a vital role in the education sector. They often provide a nurturing environment with more individual attention to students, given the lower pupil-to-teacher ratio. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, small rural schools like ours make up 28.4% of U.S. public schools and service 20.2% of all public-school students. They are not insignificant and deserve our protection and support.

We ask for your support to halt this closure. Our children's education and our community's future shouldn't be jeopardized by decisions without considering the long-term impacts. Don't just sign this for us; sign it for every rural community facing the same threat. Stand up for our children's education. Sign this petition to oppose the closure of Genoa & Dunlow Elementary Schools.