Hello Petition Supporters,

My name is Alexandra, and I'm on the Civic Engagement team at Change.org. Our team works to connect petition starters and supporters with the public officials who have the power to act on the issues you care about. I've been in touch with members of the Waukesha School Board, and here’s what I learned.

Parents and community members have been speaking out, and the School Board has confirmed that this petition to save Bethesda influenced their decision-making.

Plans A–D, which included closing Bethesda, were taken off the table after families organized and petition supporters made their voices heard. While no final decisions are permanent, this shows that community advocacy can shape the process and make a real impact.

At the same time, other schools in the district — including Lowell, Hawthorne, and Whittier Elementary — are now facing similar uncertainty. A petition has also been started calling for a pause on closures, so that families and staff have more time to review the data and planning before any school is closed.

A board member noted that petitions and public testimony have been powerful, and encouraged parents to show up and present petitions at board meetings. The next opportunity to do so will be at the Finance and Facilities Committee meeting on Monday at 5:30 p.m. at the Blair Building.

Bethesda’s experience shows that when families, staff, and supporters raise their voices together, they can make a real difference. Thank you to everyone who has signed and shared this petition.