Red Feather Lakes Elementary School is more than just a school to our close-knit mountain community in Colorado; it is the very heart of our village. As someone who has personally witnessed the impact this institution has on our children and families, I can attest that closing this school would be a devastating blow to everyone here. Not to mention when PSD absorbed ALL 5 mountain schools they vowed to not ever close our schools...now they are trying to close the 3 that are left.  They asked for a mill levy increase, we gave the 49 million dollars, now they come out and say our schools aren't worth it. 

Small local schools like Red Feather Lakes Elementary play an essential role in rural and mountain settings. They provide tailored educational experiences that meet the unique needs of our students. This school not only offers a robust academic program but also instills in our children a deep respect for nature and teaches them invaluable life skills.

Moreover, the school's presence contributes significantly to our community's sense of identity and pride. Our community revolves around the school, from Holiday events and parades for the kids to graduation parades and business owners contributing for field trips, science projects, and anything our kids need.

Closing the school would mean longer bus rides for children on precarious mountain roads. We're talking about 1.5 hours each way for our further reaching 5-11 year olds....3 hours a day!!!  This is likely to increased drop-out rates due to the difficulties of access, and a loss of the personalized education that smaller schools like ours can provide. The community hub we have come to rely on would be erased as the nearest alternative schools are miles away and do not match the personalized attention our students receive here.  

The only area pre-school is located inside the school, this will be lost to all area families with no replacement pre-school within 40+ miles. This also will decrease the amount of pre-school children that will enroll in PSD in the future - Red Feather has 8 this year.  The district did not take these children into consideration during their executive summary.  

We understand budget constraints are a reality, but closing Red Feather Lakes Elementary is not the answer. Instead, we urge our local government and educational authorities to explore alternatives, such as reducing administrative overhead costs, seeking community partnerships to fund programs, or even volunteer tutoring to maintain our high educational standards. The ripple effects of closing our school would not just stop at the students; the entire community would suffer.  We will no longer have families that will move here which very negatively affects the overall well-being or our entire community. 

We must preserve this vital institution for current and future generations. Join with us now in urging those in power to keep Red Feather Lakes Elementary open. Please sign this petition—let’s ensure our children continue to receive the quality of education they deserve in a place that feels like home.