Polk is an anchor in the neighborhood

We, the neighborhood representatives comprising the Cedar Rapids Neighborhoods organization (CRN), write to express our deep concern regarding the Cedar Rapids Community School District superintendent's proposal to close Polk Elementary School. CRN has worked tirelessly, before and after the Flood of 2008, to improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods for all residents of our city. Schools are a key component of safe, stable and vibrant neighborhoods.

Polk Elementary is slated for potential closure and is located in a core neighborhood of the city. This school gives their neighborhood an anchor and a sense of security and stability. The loss of a neighborhood school can have an extremely detrimental effect on the neighborhood at a time when we should be encouraging regrowth and revitalization.

While we understand and appreciate the difficulty in balancing competing budgetary and enrollment issues, we sincerely hope that for the benefit of the children, families and neighborhood, the Board of Education will reconsider the superintendent's proposal to close Polk.

Myrlene Strawn

Cedar Valley Neighborhood Association

Don Steichen

Harbor Neighborhood Association

Erica Yoder

Kenwood Park Neighborhood Association

Clark Rieke

Mound View Neighborhood Association

Linda Seger

Northwest Neighbors Neighborhood

Association

Lynette L. Richards

Oakhill Jackson Neighborhood

Association

Kathy Potts

Taylor Area Neighborhood Association

Terry Bilsland

Wellington Heights Neighborhood

Association