School 16 has long been a polling place in the community and this year is no different. The difference is that school will also be in session where in years passed school had been closed. Also, the voting area will be moved into a classroom as opposed to in the front entry hall.

The plan is to have voters enter at the K-1 doors with voting areas set up in the K classrooms. It was stated that the area will be cleaned and sanitized in time for classroom use the next day. This plan, or any possible alternatives, was NOT discussed with parents prior to approval.

Due to Covid- 19, parents/guardians are not allowed to enter the school building for health/safety reasons. Using that reasoning, it is counterintuitive to allow the general public to enter the building while students, faculty, and staff are present. If school had not been in session for election day prior to Covid-19, It stands to reason that it most definitely should not be in session as we navigate a pandemic. We also have the alternative option of offering a remote school day if it is deemed that we cannot lose the day of instruction.

We, the undersigned, respectfully request that School 16 Leadership,Troy City School District School Board, Superintendent Carmello close School 16 for Election Day, Wednesday, November 3, 2020 or allow for whole school remote learning.