We have been with this Hollywood park elementary for the last two years, we very quickly learned and Loved the family environment. With the climate of the world we live in it is extremely difficult to put your trust in just anyone.Hollywood park has the ability to make you feel secure as a whole not just one individual teacher! Please do not close down this school

Dear Broward County School Board Members,
I hope you will consider the families and students behind the enrollment numbers as decisions are made about the future of Forest Glen Middle School.
Forest Glen has been part of our family for many years. My two children attended the school, and now my granddaughters have followed in their footsteps. My oldest granddaughter recently completed three successful years at Forest Glen, and my youngest granddaughter just began sixth grade there.
I also live directly across the street from Forest Glen and have watched the school and surrounding area change tremendously over the years. I have seen firsthand the positive improvements that have taken place, and it has been wonderful to watch the school continue to grow, add opportunities for students, and become an increasingly positive part of our neighborhood.
As a grandmother, there is something incredibly special about seeing another generation walk through the doors of the same neighborhood school their mother and uncle attended. More importantly, I have seen the impact Forest Glen has had on them. My oldest granddaughter entered high school confident and academically prepared, and my youngest granddaughter already comes home excited about her classes, teachers, and everything she hopes to become involved in.
Enrollment numbers are important, but they cannot measure the dedication of teachers, the confidence a child gains, or the value a neighborhood school brings to its community.
Before a permanent decision is made, I sincerely hope every opportunity is given to increase enrollment and allow Forest Glen to continue building on the progress it has made.
Forest Glen has been part of our family's past, it is part of our present, and I sincerely hope it will remain part of this community's future.
Thank you for considering the voices of families and neighbors who have experienced firsthand what Forest Glen has to offer.
Sincerely,
Maria Cristina

I am writing as a longtime Coral Springs resident and neighbor of Forest Glen Middle School to ask the District to consider alternatives to closing or consolidating the school.
My connection to Forest Glen spans generations. Both of my children attended Forest Glen, and years later, my oldest granddaughter attended for all three years and recently graduated. My younger granddaughter is now a sixth-grade student there. It means a great deal to our family to see another generation attending the same neighborhood school their mother and uncle once attended.
Living near Forest Glen for many years has also given me the opportunity to watch the school change firsthand. I have seen significant improvements in the school and surrounding area, as well as growth in the programs, activities, and opportunities available to students. From my perspective as both a neighbor and grandparent, Forest Glen has continued to move in a very positive direction.
I understand declining enrollment is a challenge, but I hope the District will consider ways to build enrollment rather than close a school that has made such meaningful progress. Additional programs, expanded school choice, boundary adjustments, and greater promotion within the community could give more families the opportunity to see what Forest Glen offers today.
Neighborhood schools are an important part of the communities they serve. Forest Glen has educated my children and now my grandchildren, and I would hate to see years of progress and investment lost because of current enrollment numbers.
Please give Forest Glen the opportunity and resources to continue growing and serving families in our community for another generation.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Robert Godin

I am writing as the parent of a current Forest Glen Middle School student and a recent graduate to ask that the District strongly consider alternatives to closing or consolidating Forest Glen.
Our oldest daughter, Kylie, attended Forest Glen for all three years and participated in Cambridge classes. She grew tremendously both academically and personally and entered high school feeling well prepared. She is now thriving, and we credit Forest Glen, its teachers, and the opportunities she received with helping build that foundation.
Our younger daughter, Emma, is now a sixth grader at Forest Glen and is also in Cambridge classes. She loves her new school and is excited to grow academically and become involved in clubs and activities.
We have personally watched Forest Glen continue to improve, adding programs, clubs, activities and opportunities for students. Our experience with its teachers and staff has been extremely positive.
I understand enrollment is a serious issue, but I hope the District will first explore ways to increase enrollment and continue investing in Forest Glen. Expanding programs, promoting Cambridge and specialty opportunities, adjusting boundaries, increasing school choice and better promoting the school within the community could help attract more families without taking away a school that is working for the students already there.
I am also very concerned about placing middle school students on a high school campus. As the parent of a 12-year-old, I am not comfortable with my child attending alongside students as old as 18. Middle school students are at a very different developmental stage and deserve an environment and community designed for their age group. If that became our daughter’s only district option, our family would have to seriously consider alternatives, including virtual schooling.
Forest Glen has meant a great deal to our family. We have watched one daughter leave prepared and successful and now have another excited to begin that same journey. Please give Forest Glen the opportunity, resources, and time to continue growing.
Thank you for listening to the families who know and support Forest Glen.
Sincerely,
Richard Rollison

Continued....
It doesn't let an account post more then once...and my comment was more then 2250 characters.

Before Forest Glen is placed on a path toward closure, I believe parents, taxpayers, teachers, students, and the surrounding community deserve clear answers to some very important questions:

ENROLLMENT & GROWTH

• What is FGMS current enrollment, and what enrollment projections are being used for the next 3, 5, and 10 years?

• How were those projections calculated?

• What percentage of students who are zoned for Forest Glen currently attend other district schools, charter schools, private schools, virtual schools, or schools through choice programs?

• What specific enrollment-growth strategies have been attempted before considering closure?

• Has BCPS attmepted to develop a formal enrollment-growth plan for Forest Glen?

• Could additional magnet, Cambridge, STEM, technology, arts, career, gifted, advanced academic, athletic, or other specialized programs be brought to Forest Glen to attract more students?

• Has the district considered opening additional choice opportunities at Forest Glen?

ACADEMICS & STUDENT SUCCESS

• How heavily is academic performance being weighted when determining which schools are considered for redefining or closure?

• How does Forest Glen’s A rating factor into this decision?

• Should a school demonstrating academic success and improvement be treated differently from a school that is both under-enrolled and academically struggling?

• What programs, teachers, electives, extracurricular activities, clubs, athletics, and academic opportunities could be lost if Forest Glen closes?

• What happens to honors, gifted, ESE, ESOL, and other specialized students and programs?

FINANCIAL IMPACT

• Exactly how much money would BCPS save annually by closing Forest Glen?

• Has the district provided the public with a complete breakdown of those projected savings?

• Do those savings account for the costs associated with transportation, renovations, staffing changes, moving programs, increasing capacity at receiving schools, and maintaining or securing a closed campus?

• How much has BCPS invested in Forest Glen in recent years

We'd like the answers to these questions. Thank you

I am writing as the parent of both a current and former Forest Glen Middle School student to strongly encourage the District to explore every option to increase enrollment rather than close the school.
When my oldest daughter Kylie began at Forest Glen, we were nervous. Like many parents, we had heard different perceptions of the school and questioned whether it was the right choice. Looking back, I am so grateful we gave Forest Glen that chance.
Kylie attended Forest Glen for all three years and participated in the Cambridge program. She was challenged academically, supported by wonderful teachers and given opportunities that prepared her for high school. She is now thriving, and I truly believe Forest Glen played an important role in that transition.
Our younger daughter Emma is now a sixth grader at Forest Glen and also enrolled in Cambridge classes. She already LOVES her school and is excited to grow academically, join clubs, and become involved in the school community.
I understand declining enrollment presents real challenges but I hope enrollment is viewed as a problem to solve rather than a reason to give up on a school that is succeeding for the families already there. Expanded Cambridge, STEM and specialty programs, boundary adjustments, school choice and stronger community promotion could introduce more families to what Forest Glen has become. Our family is proof that perceptions can change once families experience the school themselves.
I am also very concerned about any proposal placing middle school students on a high school campus. As the parent of a 12 year-old, I am not comfortable with my middle school child attending alongside students as old as 18. These children deserve an environment and community designed for their developmental stage. If that became Emma’s only district option, our family would have to seriously consider alternatives, including virtual schooling.
Please give Forest Glen the opportunity, resources and time to continue growing. Enrollment numbers do not tell the full story of the students, teachers, and families who make this school special.
Thank you for listening to the families who know and love Forest Glen.

I am writing as a parent of a student at Hollywood Park Elementary to express my strong opposition to the possible closure of our school.

Hollywood Park Elementary is an excellent school with dedicated teachers and staff who truly care about our children. They provide a safe, supportive, and positive environment where students can learn, grow, and succeed.

Closing this school would have a serious impact on our children and their families. Our students deserve stability and the opportunity to continue their education in a school where they feel supported and valued.

I respectfully ask that every possible alternative be considered before making a decision to close Hollywood Park Elementary. This school is an important part of our community and deserves to remain open for the benefit of our children.

Please listen to the voices of our families and keep Hollywood Park Elementary open.

Sincerely,

Yagniel Chaviano Olivera
Parent of a student at Hollywood Park Elementary

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the possible closure of Hollywood Park Elementary, a school that is very important to my grandchild and our family.

As a grandmother, I have seen firsthand the care, dedication, and commitment that the teachers and staff provide to their students. Hollywood Park Elementary is a wonderful school that offers children a safe, supportive, and excellent learning environment.

Closing this school would negatively affect many children and families. Our students deserve stability and the opportunity to continue learning in a school where they feel safe, supported, and valued.

I respectfully ask that every possible option be considered to keep Hollywood Park Elementary open. This school is an important part of our community and deserves to continue serving our children.

Please keep Hollywood Park Elementary open for the future of our children.

Sincerely,

Mariela Ochoa
Grandmother of a student at Hollywood Park Elementary

Save & Grow Forest Glen Middle School

I am asking the Broward County School Board to keep Forest Glen Middle School open and focus on growing this school rather than closing it.

My family has a personal stake in this decision. We are the family of a seventh-grade honors student at Forest Glen, and we chose this school because we believe in what it offers our child and our community. We want our son, and the students who come after him to have the opportunity to continue thriving at Forest Glen.

Forest Glen is not simply a building with an enrollment number attached to it. It is a community of students, teachers, staff members, families, programs, friendships, traditions, and opportunities. Our students and teachers have worked incredibly hard, and Forest Glen is now an A-rated school. That achievement should be something we build upon not something we walk away from.

I understand that Broward County Public Schools is facing very real challenges surrounding declining enrollment and underutilized campuses. However, low enrollment should start a conversation about how we grow a successful school not automatically lead us toward closing it.

I am writing as a parent to strongly oppose the potential closure of Hollywood Park Elementary.

For my family, Hollywood Park is much more than a school. It is a community where my children have been known, understood, supported, and cared for.

My youngest son has severe, life-threatening food allergies that can cause anaphylaxis. Sending a child with these allergies to school requires an enormous amount of trust, and Hollywood Park has earned that trust.

His teachers, assistants, administration, and staff consistently take his allergies seriously. They communicate with me, keep me involved, and make me feel that we are working together to keep my child safe. As his mother, that peace of mind is invaluable.

Their care goes beyond his allergies. He is a child with big feelings who sometimes needs extra patience, reassurance, and understanding. Hollywood Park has given him exactly that. They take the time to understand the child behind the behavior and make him feel that he belongs.

My oldest son also attended Hollywood Park during fourth and fifth grade, and the teachers and staff helped him tremendously. I have now watched this school provide that same level of support and compassion to both of my children.

That is why the possibility of losing Hollywood Park is so upsetting.

You cannot put a number on staff knowing a child’s medical needs and taking them seriously. You cannot immediately recreate years of trust between a family and a school. Moving children to an unfamiliar environment means losing relationships and support systems that took years to build.

Hollywood Park has made me feel that my children belong and that I do not have to advocate for them alone.

I respectfully ask the School Board and district leadership to look beyond enrollment figures and financial considerations and consider the real impact this closure would have on the children and families who depend on this school.

Please explore every reasonable alternative before closing Hollywood Park.

I strongly oppose the proposed closing of Hollywood Park Elementary. My son has attended Hollywood Park since kindergarten, and over the past two years this school has become an important part of our family.

Since starting at Hollywood Park, I have watched my son grow tremendously both academically and personally. He went from performing at a Level 2 to now achieving a Level 4 on his assessments. I believe this progress reflects the dedication of his teachers, the support of the staff, and the strong learning environment this school provides.

Hollywood Park is an A-rated school, and it is very concerning that students who are currently thriving there may be transferred to schools with lower performance ratings. If a child is succeeding academically, feels safe, has established relationships, and is making significant progress, disrupting that environment should not be taken lightly.

My son knows his teachers, classmates, routines, and school community. He feels comfortable and supported there. As a parent, I cannot imagine having to move him away from a school that has helped him accomplish so much.

I understand that enrollment and funding must be considered, but student achievement and stability should also be a priority. Children are more than enrollment numbers. Closing a successful school affects their education, relationships, routines, and sense of belonging.

I respectfully ask the School Board to reconsider closing Hollywood Park Elementary and explore every possible alternative to keep it open. Please listen to the families whose children are thriving here. Hollywood Park has proven that it can help students succeed, and our children deserve the opportunity to continue learning and growing in the school community they know and love.

I oppose the proposed closure of Hollywood Park Elementary (HPE). When a district closes schools, it doesn’t just remove a building, it pushes displaced families into a cycle of reassignment, and some of those reassigned students have eventually landed at schools like HPE. Punishing HPE for absorbing families whose original schools were already closed penalizes the school for succeeding at exactly what the district asked of it. Nearly 40% of HPE’s population is here by choice, not by zoning. When you take away a choice a family actively made, they don’t quietly accept the reassignment, they immediately start looking for the next best option. As someone who went through public school myself, all the way through my advanced degrees: I want to keep choosing public education. A well-performing neighborhood school closed over enrollment numbers, it gets harder to make that case to other parents, and harder for me to believe it myself for my own kids. There are also real classroom consequences to consider for the reassigned: larger class sizes, shortened lunch, recess, and specials, and less time for small-group or one-on-one instruction — the opposite of what any of these students need. I also want to speak for a group of students this proposal puts at particular risk: the children in HPE’s clusters, many of whom are on the autism spectrum or have other developmental disabilities. I’ve sat at many IEP tables in BCPS — supporting families, working with your staff, and advocating for the resources these students are entitled to. Combining cluster classes as part of a closure will not save money without a cost: it will burn out the teachers holding these classrooms together, and it will make it harder, not easier, to meet the individualized goals written into each child’s IEP.
The Boys & Girls Club, the police station, the park, and the middle school — it is genuinely a neighborhood hub. Closing a school that is doing everything right, rather than addressing enrollment through other means, tells families that performance and community roots don’t protect a school from being cut when our kids become butts in seats. That is exactly the kind of decision that pushes parents out of public education for good.

I have been part of Hollywood Park family since 2015. Over the years, I have worked my way through different positions, left for a little, and ultimately came back home. I call it “home” because that is truly what our school has become to me.

Our school is the definition of a happy place. We love coming to work each day. We love our students, we care about our families, and we take pride in helping every child reach their full potential. We don’t just educate our students—we support them, encourage them, and stand beside their families, even when they are going through difficult times. And we do it with compassion, dedication, and a positive attitude.

Our school stands above the rest—not simply because of our academic accomplishments or because we have consistently outperformed other schools in our area. Not simply because we were recognized as one of the top six elementary schools in the district. What truly sets us apart is how deeply we care.

We care about our students.
We care about our families.
We care about each other.
And most importantly, our community cares about us in return.

There is something special about a school where families feel welcomed, students feel valued, and staff genuinely want to be there. That sense of belonging cannot be measured by a number on a spreadsheet. It cannot be replaced simply by moving students to another building.

Closing our school would mean more than closing a campus. It would mean disrupting a community, separating families from the educators and staff who know them, and taking away a place where children feel safe, supported, and encouraged to succeed.

I have watched our school grow, overcome challenges, celebrate successes, and continue showing up for our students and families year after year. I came back because this place matters to me—and I know I am not the only one who feels that way.

Our school is more than a building. It is a family. It is a community. It is a place where people care.

Please look beyond enrollment numbers and statistics and consider the heart of what we have built here. Consider the students who call this school home, the families who trust us, and the staff who give so much of themselves every Day.

Sincerely,
Doris Trainor

As a mom of a kid who assist to Hollywood Park Elementary, I strongly believe that our school should remain open because it is a wonderful school that provides a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment for our children. It is much more than just a place where children go to learn—it is a community where students are encouraged to grow academically, socially, and emotionally.
The school has an incredible team of teachers and staff who genuinely care about their students. The dedication, patience, and professionalism of the teachers make a tremendous difference in our children’s education and development. They know their students, understand their individual needs, and work hard every day to help them succeed.
Closing this school would not only disrupt our children’s education, but would also take them away from teachers and staff who have built meaningful relationships with them. Children need stability, especially when they have already developed a sense of belonging and security within their school community.
Our school has proven to be a wonderful place for children to learn, feel supported, make friends, and develop confidence. The teachers are truly one of the school’s greatest strengths, and their commitment deserves to be recognized and protected.
For these reasons, I respectfully ask that the decision to close the school be reconsidered. Our children deserve to keep the school community they love, and our dedicated teachers deserve the opportunity to continue the incredible work they do every day.
Please keep our school open. Our children’s education, stability, and future are worth protecting.

I am writing as the parent of a student at Hollywood Park Elementary School to express my strong disagreement and deep concern regarding the possible closure of the school.

My daughter started at Hollywood Park Elementary in Kindergarten last year and is now in first grade. During this time, we have had a very positive experience with the school. The teachers are excellent, caring, and dedicated to their students. Most importantly, my daughter is happy to go to school every day, feels comfortable and safe there, and continues to make very good academic progress.

As a parent, I am very concerned about the emotional impact that closing the school could have on her and many other children. At this young age, children develop important relationships with their teachers, classmates, and school community. My daughter has already created friendships and a sense of belonging at Hollywood Park Elementary. Suddenly separating these children and sending them to different schools could be extremely difficult and emotionally distressing for them.

The location of Hollywood Park Elementary is also very important to our family. The school is relatively close to our home, which makes it possible for us to maintain a manageable daily routine. Having to travel to another school farther away would create significant transportation and scheduling difficulties for our family.

I understand that the School Board must consider many factors when making decisions about schools. However, I respectfully ask you to also consider the voices of the parents, the academic progress of the students, the quality and dedication of the teachers, and the emotional impact that closing a school can have on young children.

Hollywood Park Elementary is more than just a building. It is a community where our children are learning, growing, building friendships, and feeling that they belong.

For these reasons, I respectfully ask the School Board to reconsider the closure of Hollywood Park Elementary and explore every possible alternative that would allow the school to remain open.

Thank you for taking the time to listen to the concerns of our family and our school community.

Sincerely,

A Concerned Parent

I am writing to express my deep concern and opposition to the possible closure of Hollywood Park Elementary, which my child proudly attends.

This school is much more than a place of learning. It is a school of excellence that supports the academic, personal, and emotional growth of its students. The teachers and staff are dedicated, professional, and genuinely committed to the well-being and success of every child.

The faculty is one of the school’s greatest strengths. The teachers know their students, care about them, and work hard to help them learn and reach their full potential. The safe, supportive, and welcoming environment they have created is extremely valuable and should be preserved.

Closing Hollywood Park Elementary would greatly affect students, families, and the entire school community. Our children need stability, continuity, and a place where they feel safe, supported, and valued. This school provides all of that.

I respectfully ask that every possible alternative be considered before making a final decision. A school of excellence with dedicated teachers and a strong commitment to its students deserves every effort to remain open.

As a mother, I strongly believe that Hollywood Park Elementary should remain open for the well-being and future of our children.

Thank you for considering the concerns of parents and the school community. I hope our voices will be heard before such an important decision is made.

Sincerely,

Lianet Sarmiento Ochoa
Mother of a student at Hollywood Park Elementary

As a teacher at Hollywood Park Elementary School (HPE) for the past 15 years, I would like to share my thoughts regarding the very shocking and heartbreaking news about the possibility of closing HPE due to the financial struggles our district is facing.

For the past few years, HPE has been a strong A-rated school, and just two years ago, we were ranked among the Top 6 elementary schools in the entire district.

At HPE, we are a small but strong village where everyone is fully involved in raising strong, intelligent, confident, and secure children. Our teachers continuously give their very best, and our parents are equally committed and supportive. They see their children growing and thriving—not only academically, but also emotionally, socially, and as responsible members of our community.

So I ask you: Why change a team that is winning?

Are numbers and financial considerations more important than the lives and well-being of our students, teachers, staff, parents, volunteers, and the local community?

Would you feel safe and comfortable if you were in our shoes?

I sincerely ask you to reconsider your options and choices regarding HPE.

We are a strong school, a strong family, and a strong community. We still have so much to learn, so much to teach, and so much to contribute.

I invite every single one of you to come to HPE and see for yourselves what we do every day with our students and our community. You will be amazed.

We do not perform miracles. We work hard—not simply for a paycheck, but because we love our profession. We love our students. We love our community. And most importantly, we love the HPE family.

Please come see what makes HPE so special before making a decision that could profoundly affect so many lives.

Please keep HPE open.

Have a great day,

Mr. Pereira
Hollywood Park Elementary School

On School Closures: A Family Member’s Plea to the Broward County School Board
I’m not the parent — I’m the uncle. But I’ve sat in IEP meetings, driven the carpools, and watched enough hard-won progress to know what’s at stake when this Board talks about “consolidation.”
You call it a numbers problem: declining enrollment, $100 million to save, underused buildings. I get that budgets don’t balance themselves. But for a child with autism, a school isn’t a building — it’s a nervous system’s worth of infrastructure. The same bus driver who knows not to slam the door. The para who’s spent two years learning a flapping hand means overwhelm, not defiance. The walk to Room 14 that no longer triggers a meltdown because it’s been walked five hundred times.
Close a school or redraw a boundary, and you’re not just moving desks. You’re deleting an environment a family spent years building trust in. A neurotypical kid adjusts to a transfer. A child with autism can lose years of progress in one semester — progress that returns on the child’s timeline, not the district’s.
None of that shows up in an enrollment spreadsheet. It doesn’t measure the family fighting from scratch at a new school for the same Matrix of Services score they’d already proven their child needed, or the parent taking more unpaid leave for re-evaluation meetings for services their child already had.
I’m not asking you to pretend the budget crisis isn’t real. I’m asking you to recognize that “underenrolled” isn’t “unnecessary” — a small school may be small precisely because it’s become a safe, working environment for the population this district is legally obligated to serve. Before any ESE program gets folded into a new campus, give us an actual continuity-of-services plan: not “students will be diverted to nearby campuses,” but a documented, individualized transition plan for every child on an IEP, built with their existing IEP team, before the vote.
Sustainability shouldn’t mean survival of the easiest to educate. Don’t balance these books on the backs of the kids who can least afford to start over.
Thank you.

I respectfully ask that you carefully consider the impact this proposed closure will have on Hollywood Park Elementary’s students, families, and community. School culture, community connections, student well-being, and family trust deserve equal consideration alongside enrollment and facility data.
As Broward County Public Schools works to rebuild enrollment, closing successful neighborhood schools sends a conflicting message. Families are encouraged to return, yet schools that serve as community anchors are being considered for closure. I also ask whether all alternatives have been explored, including the use of previously closed schools and facilities.
Capacity data raises important questions. Hollywood Park Elementary operates at approximately 80% capacity, while the schools expected to receive our students reportedly operate at about 50% and 70% capacity. Why is the school with the highest utilization being considered for closure?
More than 39% of our students attend through reassignment, demonstrating the confidence families have in our school. Hollywood Park has maintained an “A” school grade for three consecutive years, and families actively choose our school because students thrive here.
Hollywood Park also serves an IND cluster program for students with significant disabilities. Standard capacity formulas do not account for the specialized classrooms, equipment, accessibility needs, and space requirements these students require. These unique needs must be considered when evaluating school utilization.
Closing Hollywood Park would create hardships for families. Many students walk to school, and many rely on the adjacent Boys & Girls Club for affordable childcare. Reassignment would increase transportation challenges, disrupt established support systems, and may contribute to overcrowding at receiving schools.
I urge the Board to look beyond enrollment percentages and consider the students, families, staff, and community whose lives will be affected. Schools are more than buildings—they are the heart of their communities.

On School Closures: A Family Member’s Plea to the Broward County School Board
I’m not the parent — I’m the aunt. But I’ve sat in IEP meetings, driven the carpools, and watched enough hard-won progress to know what’s at stake when this Board talks about “consolidation.”
You call it a numbers problem: declining enrollment, $100 million to save, underused buildings. I get that budgets don’t balance themselves. But for a child with autism, a school isn’t a building — it’s a nervous system’s worth of infrastructure. The same bus driver who knows not to slam the door. The para who’s spent two years learning a flapping hand means overwhelm, not defiance. The walk to Room 14 that no longer triggers a meltdown because it’s been walked five hundred times.
Close a school or redraw a boundary, and you’re not just moving desks. You’re deleting an environment a family spent years building trust in. A neurotypical kid adjusts to a transfer. A child with autism can lose years of progress in one semester — progress that returns on the child’s timeline, not the district’s.
None of that shows up in an enrollment spreadsheet. It doesn’t measure the family fighting from scratch at a new school for the same Matrix of Services score they’d already proven their child needed, or the parent taking more unpaid leave for re-evaluation meetings for services their child already had.
I’m not asking you to pretend the budget crisis isn’t real. I’m asking you to recognize that “underenrolled” isn’t “unnecessary” — a small school may be small precisely because it’s become a safe, working environment for the population this district is legally obligated to serve. Before any ESE program gets folded into a new campus, give us an actual continuity-of-services plan: not “students will be diverted to nearby campuses,” but a documented, individualized transition plan for every child on an IEP, built with their existing IEP team, before the vote.
Sustainability shouldn’t mean survival of the easiest to educate. Don’t balance these books on the backs of the kids who can least afford to start over.
Thank you.