The United Cooper Advocacy Group does not support the latest Seattle School District proposal of moving the Pathfinder K-8 program into the Cooper building. As a united group, we categorically reject this pronouncement along with its de-valuing language which states that the district would "permit Cooper students to enroll in Pathfinder K-8" The United Cooper Advocacy Group sees this current proposal as non-equitable, one sided, and therefore injurious to the Cooper Program and the integrity of its students, families, community, and staff.

In order to promote an equitable solution for both programs, we request a commitment from the Seattle School District to address the following issues before further discussions regarding the integration of both curriculums can be addressed:

- Provide an amended written recommendation that provides clear and concise language regarding the intent for a true integration between two disparate and distinct education models. Provide this language to all impacted parties in order to provide an understanding of the proposal that will be subject to ratification in November.

- Clarify how fundamental societal issues relating to race and class will be addressed.

Illuminate the importance of retaining the existing bi-lingual focus of Cooper School.

- Clarify how children with learning disabilities will benefit from this new program.

Provide details how children with behavioral issues will receive adequate supervision and guidance.

- The current timeline for Phase II closures to be fully functional by the beginning of the 2007 school year is imbalanced. This date must be amended to 2008 at the earliest.

- Qualitative information must be received that addresses the increased population at Cooper. In addition, speak to the overcrowding issues now impacting all children in the West Seattle school cluster due to Phase I and Phase II decisions.

- Provide a clear school assignment to Cooper and Pathfinder students that choose not to attend an alternative school.

- Provide alternatives that will effectively speak to the challenges of parents who rely on before and after-school childcare programs currently handled on-site at the Cooper building by the YMCA.

- Make available efficient and cost-effective transportation options for all students attending the Cooper School.

- Inform and educate the local media using language that equitably promotes the proposed integration of the Pathfinder and Cooper programs.

As stated above, the United Cooper Advocacy Group categorically rejects the proposal to close the Genesee Hill (Pathfinder) building and relocate their population to Cooper School. The Cooper students, professional educators, administrators and parents will remain united until the Seattle School District unequivocally addresses the essential issues established above.

The United Cooper Advocacy Group