My child, along with hundreds of others, has found a secure and nurturing environment at Park Crest Middle School (PCMS) in Pflugerville ISD (PFISD). A miracle in this complicated day and age for sure! At PCMS students feel safe, supported, and empowered—an environment that many parents can only dream of for their children.

Yet, like many school districts across Texas facing financial deficits, PFISD has proposed "optimization" strategies (short hand for closing schools and other strategies to save money). However, closing Park Crest Middle School should not—and cannot—be one of the options on the table.

Park Crest Middle School is more than just a building; it is a vibrant community hub representative of Pflugerville's diversity. It has become a school of choice for many families, offering quality education and safe spaces for learning while promoting holisitc support, equity, and access for all students. Its closure would likely result in furthering the economic divide between east and west PFISD schools as well as the ahievement gap while students are dispersed between 1 "higer" performing campus, and 2 "lower" performing campuses. This not only disrupts our children’s education but also dismantles a thriving educational community representative of all the types of people within the city of Pflugerville itself.

The priorities proposed by the district do not match the data presented. While a couple schools meet all 4 stated criteria for optimization prioritization, Park Crest meets 3 out of 4,  while other schools check fewer boxes.  Although enrollment is declining, across the state, Pflugerville ISD is not alone in its problem nor has it exhausted options that do not require school closure (ie: creating magnet programs, rezoning, and PR strategies that highlight its many "Schools of Choice").  Shutting down this school would be a direct contradiction to at least 3 of PFISD’s stated objectives: advancing student achievement, student persistance, and investing in people, when it is not the lowest achieving school or the oldest building in the district.

Now is the time for action. Our children deserve to continue their education at Park Crest Middle School, where they have thrived and grown. We must urge PFISD to consider alternative solutions to its budget challenges that could involve resource reallocation, seeking additional funding, or implementing cost-saving measures without sacrificing the unique culture within Park Crest's walls. 

Let us come together to show our support for Park Crest Middle School. By voicing our concerns and opposition to its potential closure, we can make a difference. Every signature amplifies the cause and moves us closer to safeguarding an integral part of our community.

Sign this petition to keep Park Crest Middle School open and operational, ensuring it remains a cherished home for learning and growth for generations to come.