To the editor:

We ask the school board to amend the charge of the Consolidation Working Group for the following reasons:

• The original charge was based on inaccurate figures. Last year’s Elementary School Facility Task Force estimated that elementary schools would be at 80.3 percent capacity this year and at 83.6 percent in 5 years. More accurate data from RSP demonstrates that we currently use 86 percent of our capacity and will be at 90% capacity in 5 years. There is not capacity to consolidate six schools into four or fewer.

• School closure savings come primarily from raising class sizes and firing teachers. The board and administration have repeatedly indicated small class size as a priority, especially in schools with high numbers of at-risk students. Five of the six schools considered for consolidation have significant populations of at-risk students.

• Closing and consolidating schools raises class size across the district. The increase in class sizes at Broken Arrow and Sunflower as a result of the Wakarusa Valley closure is a perfect example, and contradicts the District’s stated preference for small class size.

• Even with budget cuts over the past two years, the district continues to operate in the black.

The Consolidation Working Group has worked tirelessly to address the charge given them, but if the school board acts without amending the charge, the results may do lasting damage to business, personal, and community relationships. Let’s strongly consider whether pushing forward with a flawed charge is the right direction to take for our children and our community.