As a Shaler resident  I am concerned about the short sighted proposed closure of Shaler Area Elementary School (SAES). This decision will not only affect our children’s education but the entire Shaler community.  Please sign this petition against the closure of Shaler Area Elementary School. 

The closure of SAES  will result in:

•  Larger Class Sizes 
•  Loss Community Resources (Pool, Track, Field, Playground,  Parking)
• Impact Extracurriculars (Music, Drama and after school clubs) 
• No feasibility study into impact on education or community

        **Please join us September 29th at Shaler High School at  6pm**

Loss of community resources (Pool, Track, Field, Playground, Parking), significantly impact the availability Extracurriculars (Music, Drama and after school clubs).

The current feasibility study underestimates the potential future growth in student numbers and bases its calculations on impractically large class sizes of 25 students per class. It has also not included the feedback from parents and the community, which is vital to any decision that will significantly affect everyone in our community. 

We will lose valuable community resources, including the school’s pool, field, and track.  This closure will negatively impact the music and drama departments, eliminating an auditorium and other resources. This change may affect the availability of after-school clubs due to lack of space and resources.

Short-term financial gains through the sale of local Shaler Area School assets is shortsighted.  Selling this property to developers for future housing developments will increase student enrollment which would exacerbate overcrowding issues.  It will also cause significant traffic
changes in the surrounding neighborhoods.

Our community deserves better planning and foresight. We urge the school board members and decision-makers to reconsider this closure and explore alternative solutions. This will preserve educational integrity and community value of Shaler Area, the  Primary schools (Burchfield, Marzolf, Reserve, Scott) Shaler Area Elementary School and the Shaler Area Middle School.

Please join me in standing against the closure, of Shaler Area Elementary School by signing this petition. Together, we can make a difference and protect the future of education and the Shaler spirit in our community.