Possible closure of CLP schools in Laporte

[Erica Daniell]

Hello Commissioner Kefalas,

I am writing as a concerned parent, as well as a concerned Laporte community member and member of LAPAC.  This week, PSD released 4 potential scenarios for upcoming school closures.  One of those scenarios (A1) involves closing both CLP schools.  I implore you as a representative of our community to lend your voice to the conversation in defense of our schools.  The committee noted that the Stove Prarie and Red Feather mountain schools were not being considered for closure at this time because they "serve as community centers" and "travel times are considerable".  I believe these same criteria apply to the Laporte schools and think all community members need to speak up and make it known how these schools are a hub of our community.  Some examples that highlight this include: they have served as Red Cross evacuation centers multiple times just in the past few years; without the schools the town of Laporte would be without crucial outdoor recreation staples such as a playground, tennis courts and a running track; annual school events such as the middle school fall carnival and the elementary book fair family night provide a way for the community to come together; the school site is historic in that there has been a school in that location for 111 years, it is a rich part of local history and Laporte's identity.  

Additionally, one of the scenarios (A2)  describes keeping both schools but combining them to create a k-12 expeditionary learning campus.  One reservation for the committee in choosing this option is that there are currently no public transportation options serving Laporte.  At the LAPAC meeting this week we learned that the county will be revising the transportation section of the Laporte Area Plan this year, with Public Transportation being one of the specific issues of focus.  This information could be helpful in the committee's decision making process.  

Please try to make it to a planning committee listening session.  The format is a round table discussion where concerned parents or community members share their thoughts and questions with committee members.  All attendees are then encouraged to also fill out an online questionnaire.  

Listening sessions: 

• 7:30-8:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 20, at Timnath Middle-High School, 4700 East Prospect Road, Timnath 
• 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, March 20, at Fort Collins High School, 3400 Lambkin Way, Fort Collins
• 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Monday, March 25, at ITC Aspen 1 and 2 at the PSD Support Services Complex , 2407 Laporte Avenue, Fort Collins
• 6-8 p.m. Monday, March 25, at Rocky Mountain High School, 1300 W. Swallow Road, Fort Collins  
• 6-7 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, Online  
• 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 28, at Lincoln Middle School, 1600 W. Lancer Drive, Fort Collins 
• 6-8 p.m. Thursday, April 4, at PSD Future Ready Center, Suite 510 in the Foothills Mall, 215 E Foothills Parkway (for those who speak Spanish)  
• TBD session for those who speak Arabic  

If you cannot make it to a listening session, you can watch this prerecorded meeting and fill out the questionnaire here https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSepHTwPg2WM8vlfthP3RpkqaQ4h5MBI6Y_KpMXAqCglcBOyrw/viewform

Facilities Planning Steering Committee Update: March 19, 2024

Please let me know if you would like to have further discussion on this.  There is a lot of conversation happening about this right now on the "I love Laporte" facebook page if you would like to see more commentary from other community members.  I will also attach a document prepared by the CLPE PTO with all the information assimilated.  

Thank you, 

Erica Daniell