PPS RIGHTSIZING

"Rightsizing" scenarios were released on October 5, 2026. The PPS school board is slated to vote on which scenario to move forward with sometime in December 2026, with the decision being implemented for the 2027-2028 school year. 

Scenarios A and B both propose keeping Whitman open with Woodmere joining us. Scenario B sees a portion of our school area moving to Lewis. PPS has posted more information about the scenarios' impacts on each school, including boundary maps.

The final vote is in December, but until then the district is holding a number of engagement sessions. In addition to these sessions, you can share concerns or questions with the school board at schoolboard@pps.net; with Eddie Wang, Board Chair, at eddiewang@pps.net; or request to give a public comment at a school board meeting at publiccomment@pps.net.

NEW: PPS Scenario Feedback Survey

The PTA is actively working on advocating for Whitman students and our greater community. If you have stories or concerns you would like to share, email advocacy@ptawhitman.org. We will continue collecting community feedback to share directly with the board.

Q & A with Eddie Wang, PPS Board Chair

On October 8, 2026, the PTA held an open Q & A session with PPS Board Member and Chair, Eddie Wang. We are thankful for Chair Wang's time as it was an insightful and lengthy discussion. We invited Woodmere parents and were able to have concerns from both communities discussed. We took rough notes of the discussion and you can reference those here.

Other Info and Events

Read the PPS Special Education PTSA Rightsizing Report--This report is SEPTSA's position on how rightsizing could affect students who receive special education services. It covers their questions and concerns about school closures, program moves and how changes would be carried out.

School Impact Conversation: Southeast Region

Saturday, October 24th

9:00 – 11:00 AM | Cleveland @ Marshall High School

For families and communities of the Cleveland/Franklin region.

PAT Save Our Schools Summits

Meetings close to Whitman:

Sunday 10/25, 12:00-2:00p | Kellogg Middle School

Tuesday 10/27, 6:00-8:00p | Woodmere Elementary School

Public comment is usually short, so focus on one clear message and one personal example.

A strong comment can be as simple as:

1. Who you are

2. Your connection to Whitman

3. What concerns you

4. What you want PPS to do

You do not need to be an expert. Your lived experience matters.

Sample public comment

My name is ________, and I am a Whitman parent/community member.

I am concerned about the possibility of Whitman closing or being consolidated through the PPS rightsizing process. Whitman is more than a school building for our family. It is where our child has trusted teachers, friendships, routines, and a connection to our neighborhood.

If Whitman closed, our family would be affected by transportation, travel time, safety, and the loss of a school community that supports us. I am also concerned about whether receiving schools would have enough space, staff, special education capacity, and support services for all students.

Before PPS makes any decision, I ask the district to clearly explain the impact on students and families, show the data behind the proposal, consider alternatives to closure, and make sure family input meaningfully affects the outcome.

Please keep Whitman students, families, and equity at the center of this process.

Core message

Whitman is more than a building. It is a neighborhood school, a community hub, and a place where students and families have trusted relationships, daily routines, and important supports.

Before PPS makes any decision about Whitman, the district must clearly explain:

• How students and families would be affected

• Whether routes to another school would be safe and realistic

• Whether receiving schools have enough space, staff, and support services

• How special education, multilingual learners, Head Start, and after-school care would be impacted

• How racial, economic, disability, and transportation equity are being considered

• How family and community input will meaningfully affect the final decision

Talking points you can use

Choose the points that matter most to you. Personal stories are especially helpful.

1. Whitman is a neighborhood school and community anchor

Whitman plays an important role in our neighborhood. Families walk, bike, gather, attend events, use the playground, build relationships, and rely on the school as a trusted community space.

You might say:

Whitman is not just where my child goes to school — it is part of how our family is connected to the neighborhood.

2. Closure or consolidation would disrupt students’ daily lives

Changing schools is not just a building change. It can affect children’s routines, friendships, trusted adults, transportation, before- and after-school care, and sense of safety.

You might say:

If Whitman closed, our family’s daily life would change in real ways — including transportation, schedule, relationships, and our child’s sense of belonging.

3. Safe transportation must be a central concern

PPS needs to clearly explain how students would safely get to another school. Families need answers about walking routes, busy streets, bus access, travel time, car access, and weather.

You might say:

PPS should not make any closure or consolidation decision without a clear, realistic transportation and safety plan for every affected student.

4. Equity must be more than a talking point

Rightsizing decisions will not affect all families equally. PPS must consider the impact on low-income families, families without reliable car access, students receiving special education services, multilingual families, Head Start families, and families who rely on school-based supports.

You might say:

Equity means looking carefully at which families would carry the greatest burden if Whitman closed.

5. Relationships with trusted teachers and staff matter

Students thrive when they are known and supported by trusted adults. Whitman staff help families navigate school, connect to resources, and support children’s learning and wellbeing.

You might say:

One of Whitman’s greatest strengths is the relationships students and families have with trusted teachers and staff.

6. PPS must be transparent about data and decision-making

Families need clear answers about enrollment projections, building conditions, financial savings, receiving school capacity, class sizes, staffing, and how community feedback will be used.

You might say:

PPS should provide clear data and explain exactly how decisions are being made before asking communities to accept major changes.

7. Receiving schools must be able to fully support students

If PPS proposes moving Whitman students, families need to know whether receiving schools have enough space, staff, special education capacity, multilingual learner support, after-school care, and stable class sizes.

You might say:

PPS needs to show that any receiving school can fully support students academically, socially, and emotionally.

8. Whitman-specific concerns should be heard

Whitman has its own story, strengths, challenges, and community needs. PPS should not assume that schools can simply be combined without understanding the impact on each school community.

You might say:

Whitman’s specific circumstances need to be understood before any decision is made about its future.

9. Consider alternatives before closure

Before closing or consolidating schools, PPS should consider other options, including boundary adjustments, program changes, enrollment supports, shared services, or other strategies that strengthen schools without disrupting students and families.

You might say:

Closure should not be the first or only solution. PPS should explore alternatives that strengthen Whitman and support students.

10. Families need meaningful participation, not just information sessions

Community engagement should give families real opportunities to shape decisions. PPS should answer questions directly, share information clearly, and show how public input affects the outcome.

You might say:

Families should not just be informed after decisions are mostly made. We need meaningful input before decisions are finalized.

Questions to ask PPS

Families and community members may want to ask:

• Where would Whitman students go if Whitman closed?

• How long would students’ travel times be?

• Would walking and bus routes be safe?

• Would students have to cross busy streets?

• Would receiving schools have enough space?

• What would expected class sizes be?

• How would special education services be protected?

• How would multilingual learners be supported?

• What would happen to Head Start?

• What would happen to before- and after-school care?

• How much money would PPS actually save?

• How were Whitman’s future enrollment numbers projected?

• How were racial and economic equity considered?

• How will family input affect the final decision?

• What alternatives to closure or consolidation has PPS considered?