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Parents, former students and residents urge board to keep Waterloo an elementary school
Summary
During public comment at the Oct. 7 workshop, multiple commenters—including parents of autistic students and former Waterloo students—urged the board to preserve Waterloo as a neighborhood elementary and asked for clearer, faster communication about decisions affecting students.
Several parents, a former student and long-time residents used public comment to press the board for clarity and to urge preserving Waterloo as a neighborhood elementary school.
"We just need to be told what's happening," said Autumn Crowley, who asked the board for concrete answers after months of uncertainty about Waterloo's future. Parent Kelsey Randolph described her autistic daughter’s experience and said multiple school moves have harmed continuity: "My daughter... this year will be her 3rd different school," she said, urging stability.
Former student Lila said Waterloo’s close-knit environment supported students and recommended returning it to a conventional elementary model so younger learners and students with special needs retain consistent supports. Community member Jerry Early, a Waterloo graduate, asked the board to pursue research-based decisions and noted Riverside’s underused potential for district programs.
The board allowed three-minute public comments and said the community’s questions and concerns will factor into future discussions; staff also committed to repeating community engagement before making final configuration votes.
