I am a member of a community facing uncertainty and eventual educational disruption due to the proposed closure of our beloved local school. We are not just community members, but parents, caretakers, educators, and most importantly, advocates for our children who deserves quality and accessible education right within our area's reach. The imminent school closure poses a threat of leaving these students without the critical loving and caring environment for their growth.

Our local school plays a significant role in the lives of our children, not just academically, but also in their social and mental development. Closing it down accelerates societal inequities as not all families have the resources to travel long distances to alternate schools. For many, our local school is the most accessible educational institution.

Data from The National Center for Education Statistics shows that accessible education dramatically increases school enrollment leading to higher academic achievements and graduation rates (NCES, 2019). And our local school has been at the heart of this progress. By closing it, we risk throwing away years of development and the future of hundreds of children.

The threat of school closure is personal for us. We are a community that values education. It's time to stand up for our children's right to quality education. Together, we can save our local school. Please sign this petition in support of keeping our local school open.