What's changing
Saint Paul public schools voted and approved the Envision SPPS plan without West Side input, following a long pattern of disinvestment in our neighborhood.
Under Envision SPPS, Riverview community program would close and the dual Spanish Immersion program would remain. Riverview would merge with Cherokee Heights Elementary; Cherokee would reopen as a community school; Cherokee's Montessori Program moves to JJ Hill, then to Barack and Michelle Obama Elementary School.
West Sider demands
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Investment in West Side Schools
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Increased enrollment at West Side Schools through robust and attractive programs
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Long-term funding to engage West Siders in SPPS decision making
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Sufficient funding for The Autism Program at Cherokee Heights Elementary
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A long-term plan to minimize disruption (and no school or program closures until we have a plan)
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Invest in before-school and after-school programming on the West Side
No matter what happens moving forward, it should result from listening to the people of the West Side and investing resources into our schools instead of removing them.
Meeting with SPPS
Our first virtual meeting with SPPS was held on Thursday, January 27, 2022.
- Watch a recording of the meeting here.
- Read coverage in the Pioneer Press here.
- Read the West Side neighbors' presentation slides here.
Moving forward
We will continue listening to our neighbor's concerns and work to make sure the West Side is heard in decisionmaking. Please reach out to us at [email protected] if you're interested in getting involved. Let's work together to keep the West Side schools vibrant!