Our neighborhood is facing a crisis. The proposed closure of Maie Bartlett Heard Elementary School threatens to displace over 400 of our most vulnerable children, disrupting their education and tearing apart our close-knit community. It has the potential to hurt our property values as well. This school is a cornerstone of our neighborhood, serving multitudes of families for several generations. The closure will not only cause emotional distress among the children, but will also strain the resources of remaining schools that will have to absorb this sudden influx of students. Moreover, studies have shown that school closures can lead to decreased academic achievement especially in low-income communities. [Source: National Education Policy Center]. It's in our hands now. We need to show our resolve against this proposal to keep our neighborhood intact, preserve our rich community spirit, and most importantly, to safeguard the future of our children.

The proposal by the board does not provide full transparency in why it is Heard that is being chosen to close out of all of the other schools in the district which are actually receiving more funds per pupil, in some cases significantly, while at the same time those schools have shown much greater declines in enrollment over the past 4 years compared to Heard which has remained stable. We demand a transparent full comparison of all schools with the district for revenue vs. expenditure as well as enrollment trends and capacity. Closing a school needs to be the last resort. Our neighborhoods tax payer money should not be used to fund schools and programs in more affluent areas, while children in this area are displaced miles away to another school that is not as safe and not any better in quality of education.

Furthermore, Phoenix Elementary #1 has a federal mandate agreement and receives desegregation funding. This can be used for desegregation funding mainly to pay for teachers and programs to improve learning opportunities for disadvantaged children in some of the poorest areas of the state. Is the money being only allocated to Augustus Shaw Elementary and Magnet Traditional working as intended if we are now closing Heard and Dunbar which is creating even more harm to the subgroups we are supposed to be helping? 

The proposal by the board gave us two options. Close Dunbar and Heard or eliminate critical funding across the district. These are not, and should not, be the only two options presented. Our children deserve better. Our community deserves better.

Sign this petition to help us keep Maie Bartlett Heard Elementary School open.