Use Evidence Instead of Assumptions to Decide Which Elementary School to Keep

The September 15, 2009 Lakewood City Schools Phase III Community Forum, held on a work and school night and running past the bedtime of the children most affected, came to the conclusion that retaining Lincoln Elementary School would be better than retaining Grant Elementary School, primarily because of the economic redevelopment potential of the Grant property. This decision was based upon information presented in such a way as to make Lincoln and Grant look as if they were both serving Lakewood populations equally, which solid data shows they are not. Grant serves a much less car-dependent, more walkable area with a significantly higher housing density and the highest percentage of households with children in all of Lakewood. Grant also serves more economically disadvantaged children - Lincoln is the only school in our district that does not qualify for Title I funds, funds that are awarded based upon the special needs of schools serving a high level of economically disadvantaged families. Closing Grant also impacts twice as many children with drastically longer walks than closing Lincoln does, children that are less likely to have access to reliable family transportation due to their economic situation. The school board is forbidden by statute from delegating their decision making process to any other entity. We, the undersigned, petition the Lakewood School Board to go against the results of the September 15th community forum and base their decision on facts, not assumptions.