The Jacksonville School District 117 is currently conducting a facilities vision study which may recommend CLOSING our neighborhood elementary schools in favor of new construction. The undersigned urge the Jacksonville School District 117 to renovate both Washington Elementary School and Franklin Elementary School. Closing our neighborhood schools would be detrimental to our neighborhoods in the form of higher taxes, lower property values, and decreased population. We, the homeowners, parents, business owners and residents of Jacksonville DO NOT want Washington Elementary School or Franklin Elementary School closed because IT IS POSSIBLE to renovate and update older school buildings successfully at a fraction of new construction cost. Closing a school is a permanent action that harms education. It also threatens neighborhoods by reducing property values, causing an exodus of homeowners, and eliminating a community focal point. Studies show smaller neighborhood schools reduce the achievement gap, provide better education and bridge socio-economic differences. Neighborhood schools are sites of educational excellence, and are anchors for their neighborhoods and our historic districts. By signing this petition, we want the Jacksonville School Board Directors and Administration to know that we OPPOSE any plans to close Washington Elementary School and/or Franklin Elementary School.