We, the undersigned parents, are submitting this petition to support the establishment of an International Baccalaureate program at White Hill Middle School and Drake High School. We believe the IB option would be far more economical and more efficient than opening a charter school. The program has a worldwide reputation for excellence and rigor. It challenges the smartest and hardest-working students in a community, while its curriculum and standards strengthen schools for all students. It also provides a cosmopolitan, global perspective that many children in our county may currently lack. Public schools in Berkeley, Santa Rosa, and Palo Alto have recently established successful IB programs. Even Fresno hosts one. Yet to date, despite the talent and quality of our local teachers and administrators Marin County has lacked this resource. Redwood High rejected the opportunity to establish an IB curriculum last year, for economic reasons. But the IB concept may fit more naturally at Drake, according to its philosophy of small learning communities. And we believe that even, and perhaps especially, in these difficult economic times, the money can be found for wise investments in our children’s futures.