Update:

Thank you for your support of this petition. Since it was first created, we have made meaningful progress.

Merger discussions have been placed on pause, and we have worked to identify new potential buildings near our current location. We have also spoken with many prospective parents, and one message remains clear: there is a strong desire to maintain Salk and continue building on its success.

Families have consistently emphasized the importance of the school’s location, noting that it is centrally situated within District 2 and accessible to the broader community. Parents have also underscored the value of Salk’s smaller school size, sharing that large middle schools are not the right fit for all students at this age. Preserving options like Salk is critical to meeting the diverse needs of students and families across the district. As an unzoned, unscreened school, Salk plays a vital role in providing an inclusive and accessible option for families across District 2.

At this stage, continued visibility and community support are critical. We ask that families continue to share this petition widely. In addition, if you have real estate experience, connections with the School Construction Authority (SCA), or are interested in helping in any capacity, please reach out to us at asksalkparents@gmail.com.

As a new NYC DOE Chancellor comes in, it is essential that we emphasize the importance of continuing an open and productive dialogue, one that prioritizes maintaining Salk for current and future students.

Thank you for your continued support and partnership.

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We, the families of Salk School of Science (MS 255) (“Salk”) and other stakeholders in District 2 strongly oppose the proposed plan to merge Salk and 75 Morton (MS 297) (“Morton”). We demand that any proposed change in location of Salk be postponed until at least fall 2028—giving all current Salk students, including incoming 6th graders,  the opportunity to graduate. 

At the same time, we call on the Department of Education (“DOE”) to explore and provide alternate plans to address the class reduction mandate. 

Families, teachers, and students are due thorough consideration of all options that will preserve the independence and success of Salk. This includes academic rigor, small size, nurturing culture, Salk’s core values, as well as its leadership, faculty, and administration. 

It is critical to the integrity of the process for the DOE to act with transparency, and keep all families and stakeholders fully apprised of all work-in-progress proposals and developments in a timely manner throughout the planning process. 

Overwhelming Opposition To Merger

In June 2025, just days after news of a potential merger with Morton broke, a survey was done amongst Salk rising 7th and incoming 6th grade families to ascertain the community’s response to the proposed merger with Morton.

Indeed, 97% of those surveyed oppose a merger with another school and would like to keep Salk independent. 

Background

This proposed merger is being forced through without transparency, proper communication, or regard for students’ emotional and academic wellbeing. Families only learned of the plan through third-party sources in June 2025—not from the DOE. This came after two full years of enrollment cycles, during which no mention of a relocation or merger was made, despite the DOE knowing about space issues stemming from the 2022 class size mandate.

The proposed merger threatens everything that makes Salk special:

• A rigorous academic curriculum
• A nurturing, small-school environment
• The teachers, leadership, and administration
• A diverse lottery-based admission system
• A tight-knit community that supports student growth, both emotionally and academically

Our Asks:

• A postponement of any potential school move until at least fall 2028, when all current students will have graduated. This timing also allows adequate time to do a thorough search for other relocation options.
• Full transparency from the DOE and District 2 leadership; and
• A commitment to preserving Salk’s independence, structure, curriculum, and lottery-admission status.

Current Status

To date, Salk families have not been given any concrete details of the plan despite multiple meetings with DOE representatives. The only information we were given was that there is currently no confirmed timeline for decisions and implementation; and that the planning process is in the early stages and remains fluid.

In the meantime, our children’s middle school years are hanging in balance, creating uncertainty and anxiety amongst students and families. 

What You Can Do:

• Sign this petition to show your support
• Join our letter-writing campaign to Superintendent Kelly McGuire, Deputy Chancellor Danika Rux, and Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos
• Help us advocate directly to the Panel for Education Policy for alternative such as a new co-location site, new building or lease so Salk can continue to thrive
• Attend Community Education Council District 2 meetings. The next meeting is on August 13, 2025 at 6pm. For upcoming meetings, you can check for dates and location on this link (scroll down to Upcoming Events) https://share.google/XFhT4MxNCkhGBPL6K
• Attend Panel for Education Policy meeting. This is the body that makes final decisions on DOE proposals. The next meeting is on August 27th, 2025, 6 - 9pm. https://www.schools.nyc.gov/calendar

Our children are not numbers. They deserve the school experience they were promised. Let’s stand together to protect and preserve Salk School of Science.