This school year, the Cleveland County School district unexpectedly made the decision to remove the Pre-Kindergarten program from Springmore Elementary School. This decision has left families, teachers, and the community deeply disappointed.

Springmore’s Pre-K teachers were outstanding educators who provided our children with a strong, positive foundation for their academic and social growth. Their dedication, skill, and care made a lasting impact on every child who came through the program. Families who have had children in the program, including ours, can personally attest to the high quality of the education and care provided. The sudden elimination of this program not only removes an important resource at the school, but is also a heartbreaking loss of these fantastic educators who were an invaluable part of the Springmore community. 

In addition, the loss of Pre-K at Springmore creates real hardships for families. Children who would have attended there must now be transported to another school, resulting in logistical challenges as well as separation from older siblings who remain at Springmore. This decision fragments families’ school experiences and adds unnecessary burdens, especially for working parents.

An official reason has not been provided for this removal, but we understand there may be concerns about space or funding. However, we strongly believe the benefits of keeping Pre-K at Springmore far outweigh these challenges. Pre-K at Springmore supports school readiness, strengthens family engagement, and ensures that the youngest learners in our community start their education in a familiar, supportive environment.

Our children deserve the opportunity to learn and grow in their neighborhood school, alongside their siblings and community. We, the undersigned, respectfully request that the Pre-Kindergarten program be reinstated at Springmore Elementary School beginning next year.