The Walton Elementary School community in Auburn, ME is a close-knit and active one. A significant part of our unity stems from our proximity to our school and grounds, where many indoor and outdoor events and programs are hosted by both our school and our local community.

Walton Elementary School has been a beacon of hope and learning for our children. It has played an integral role in shaping their futures and providing them with quality education that they deserve. The proposed closure threatens to disrupt this harmony, and could have detrimental effects on the educational outcomes of these students. Other local schools, like Sherwood Heights, who would inevitably see larger class sizes and put already bursting facilities under strain.

We are a high-poverty school district, where many students thrive better in smaller classes provided by smaller schools like ours. According to the National Education Policy Center, small schools often provide better instructional settings than larger ones (NEPC). They found that students who are economically disadvantaged or struggling academically benefit more from smaller schools due to their ability to provide individualized instruction.

Our children deserve access to quality education within their community without having it disrupted by unnecessary closures. We urge you not only as parents but also as concerned citizens who value education's role in shaping future generations' lives.

Please sign this petition today and join us in urging our school board to reconsider their path towards closing Walton Elementary School. Let's keep our school open for the sake of our children's future!