A group of teachers and staff members from both Upper Blue Elementary School and Breckenridge Elementary School is urging the Summit School District to pursue a voter-approved bond to fund additional classroom space at Upper Blue ahead of planned consolidation. 

More than 40 educators and staff members from both elementary schools signed a letter, which Lorna Wolf, a music teacher at Upper Blue, and Ashley Girodo, a fifth grade teacher and instructional coach at Upper Blue, presented to the Summit School District Board of Education during public comment at a meeting Thursday, June 4. The letter expressed support for expanding Upper Blue Elementary rather than relying solely on redistricting to accommodate larger student populations once Breckenridge Elementary closes before the 2027-28 school year.

The show of support comes roughly a month after the board of education voted 6-1 to close Breckenridge Elementary and consolidate its students with Upper Blue beginning in August 2027. District leaders have said declining enrollment and financial pressures largely prompted the decision, which followed months of internal planning and public debate. 

In the letter, educators thanked board members for their work during the consolidation process and said they believe expanding Upper Blue is the best path forward as the district explores whether voters would support a future bond measure.

In May, Superintendent Tony Byrd presented two possible consolidation scenarios: one that would add around eight additional classrooms at Upper Blue through a voter-backed bond and another that would rely on redistricting and shifting some students to other schools if funding for construction isn’t secured. In the latter option, Byrd proposed redrawing attendance boundaries so students who live south of Farmer’s Korner would attend Upper Blue while students to the north would attend Frisco Elementary School. 

“We do not believe that redistricting alone reflects our district’s commitment to inclusion and belonging,” the letter states. “Without additional space, redistricting could significantly diminish the diversity that makes Upper Blue such a vibrant and welcoming learning community.”

District officials have estimated a classroom expansion would cost $17 million.
Following the board of education’s vote on consolidation, the district hired Magellan Strategies to survey residents about their willingness to support either a bond or mill levy override, with results expected to help determine what or whether a ballot measure moves forward.

“We are ready and eager to support this effort,” the educators wrote. “We want to help educate the community, build understanding and do whatever we can to help a bond succeed.”

The letter was signed by teachers, counselors, paraprofessionals, administrators and support staff from both schools, including Upper Blue Principal Robyn Sutherland. 

“This was a coming together of two schools at the end of the school year, trying to move forward in a direction that’s both positive for ourselves (and) for the partnership with you all,” Girodo told board members after reading the letter. “We’re excited for the possibility of a bond to expand the learning spaces.”