School Closure: Protect Ephesus Elementary

[dan levine]

Dear CHCCS board members and administrators,

Thank you for your service, I know how seriously you take your work in serving all of our community.  I'm a former Ephesus Elementary parent (my kids are grown now so I have no direct interest in the outcomes of the upcoming school closure decision and recognize something needs to be done to better manage enrollment/budget).  I'm confident that you're working you're very best to weigh all the facts to make the best decision for the district, and I hope you will carefully consider these facts among the many others you're considering:

• Population data and building permitting data show that the area near Ephesus has disproportionally high growth--and will continue to have it for years into the future--because it's where the Town of CH has intentionally directed growth (which I personally welcome as someone who wants a more inclusive community).
• There are hundreds of recently built and newly planned subsidized affordable housing units close to Ephesus, greatly increasing the odds that families with elementary school age children will be able to afford to live in the district in housing nearby the school (most of it in the walk zone).
• Based on its location and the surrounding infrastructure, Ephesus is uniquely walkable compared to the other schools being considered for closure, making it a great school for building tight-knit community connections and supporting environmentally responsible (and cost effective) transportation.

Thank you for your attention,

Dan Levine (Colony Woods resident, parent of former Roadrunners, believer in public education and affordable housing)