As a parent of three elementary students in our district — whose school closed last year — I’ve had a front-row seat to the changes and challenges many of you are navigating. At the Sept. 2 Board of Education meeting we received sobering news about declining elementary enrollment. And while the numbers and financial impact are real, so is the opportunity before us.

We’re at a crossroads. But this isn’t a moment for blame — it’s a moment to come together and ask: Where do we go from here?

Public neighborhood schools are more than buildings. They’re places where our children find their voices, grow their confidence, and build a foundation for their futures. They’re places where friendships are made, and communities are shaped.

Many of you are at new schools this year. When we lean in and

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