To all parents, friends family with those attending a school in Washoe County, PLEASE READ!

This past week, just 6 weeks into the school year, we were informed that due to allocation, our school is going to lose a one of its 1st grade teachers.

What is happening is that we lost the 3rd grade allocation, meaning we were 11 students short of keeping it, but we are only 2 students short of gaining another 1st grade teacher. 1st grade has 98 students and to gain an allocation we would need 100. Being short by only 2 has disrupted over 30 students and families as well s 5 staff members. So now, a third grade teacher is being moved to cover our 1st grade class, causing all the third grade classes to be re-balanced. This choice increases the 3rd grade class size and removes our 1st grade teacher, Miss Oliphant. Rather than losing Miss Oliphant, we should be keeping her and increase the number of of first grade teachers, which according to the Nevada Revised Statutes (388.700) states that "In Kindergarten and grades 1-2 must not exceed 16-1..." which would than cause less disruption to our teachers and students and give them the best learning experience possible.

This is absolutely unacceptable and needs to be corrected immediately. By Making this decision, the Washoe County School District is clearly not acting not the best interest of these students.

My child is in Miss Oliphant's 1st grade class and is being deeply impacted by this decision. Miss O, as the students call her, has made a tremendous impact on our students in just the short amount of time. Her bright, bubbly personality, her enthusiasm, her skill and structure have impacted the students in her class. Our kids adore her just as she adores each and every one of them. The quality of a student's teacher is one of the strongest indicators in a student's success and that shows in Miss O's class.

We are respectfully asking that this decision be reversed. If you would like to do more please contact the district area superintendent Troy Parks.