For the 2025-2026 school year, our local school district has decided to consolidate classes due do budget constraints, affecting 2nd and 5th grade students at Walter B. Howard Elementary School. All students in these grades were combined into single classrooms, which has led to overcrowded environments that are not conducive to effective learning. This decision was made due to budget constraints, but the consequences for our children’s education and well-being are significant and distressing. 

As a parent, I am witnessing these impacts firsthand. Both of my children have shared with me their struggles in these crowded classrooms. They have expressed that the overwhelming nature of their new school environment has made them feel anxious about attending school. They no longer enjoy going to school, which was once a place of excitement and discovery for them. This is deeply concerning.

It is essential that we prioritize the quality of education and the emotional well-being of our students. Smaller class sizes allow teachers to give more individualized attention to each student, fostering an environment where students can thrive both academically and socially. Research consistently shows that smaller class sizes are linked to higher student achievement and better behavior in the classroom, contributing to a more supportive learning atmosphere. This was one of the main reasons my family chose to move to this district 10 years ago.

What is perhaps most concerning is that the proposed budget  for the upcoming school year appears to offer no plan to address these issues. In fact, it suggests that even more classes may be combined in the coming school year. This direction raises serious questions about how the district intends to maintain the quality of education that families have come to expect and rely upon.

While we understand the financial challenges faced by the district, there must be other solutions that do not compromise our children’s education. Exploring options such as grants, reallocating existing resources, community fundraising efforts, and even fostering partnerships with local businesses or organizations could provide much-needed relief without sacrificing the quality of education.

We urge the school administration to reconsider the decision to consolidate classes and instead focus efforts on reducing class sizes to ensure a supportive, effective, and engaging learning environment for all students.

We also urge the community members to understand that an increase in the budget would likely be necessary to make this happen. Please consider how this impacts our students; our future. The school administration can only do so much without our help.

Let us come together to support our children’s right to quality education.

Please sign this petition to let our voices be heard in pursuit of providing our children with the best possible educational experience this upcoming school year. Together, we can make a difference.