STOP THE PASCO COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION FROM CLOSING SHADY HILLS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

The Board of Education has decided to spend up to 10 million dollars of our taxpayer money and close Shady Hills Elementary for 3 years to gut the interior, without ever consulting the parents or stating any valid justification. 

This will negatively impact over 400 student's education for no reason other than to modify an already beautiful and well maintained facility, lovingly created by generations of community residents and competent, caring administrators.

We, the Shady Hill Community, over the past 38 years have become a family which has nurtured a child friendly environment perfect for little children exactly as it now exists.  The theme of Lions (our mascot), and other animals are painted everywhere in amazing landscapes which are priceless works of art. The school has earned “Model School” status and already has current existing technology of computers with wi-fi, computer lab, smart boards, overhead projectors in all rooms, and a new playground, new walk-in freezer and cooler!

The only improvements really needed are minor, like upgrades to the air conditioning and bathrooms. Doors can be added to each classroom and a security system, which per a contractor, can easily be installed into the existing structure. These renovations can be done over the summer break without destroying our wonderful school, which the Board has given no convincing promise will ever open again.  Our kind and gentle staff is being dispersed and the children exposed to extremely high nurse to child ratios in a facility not suited to assist them.  Many other issues, to numerous to list, are causing insurmountable problems for a well-intentioned staff who cannot themselves ever address all the nightmare scenarios this plan creates.

Additionally, and most urgently, our children will be uprooted and placed in a facility at Crews Lake Middle School which was not designed for the K-8 model.  The physical safety of our dear young children is at stake, due to the planned intermingling with older children on the bus and while walking around the school only accompanied by another small child.

Our children's emotional health is also being put at risk and they would be deprived of a joyful elementary school experience. This situation is unreasonable, unnecessary, extremely costly and very dangerous.  It simply cannot be allowed to occur.