We, the undersigned, ask the Board of Zoning Appeals and the Saint Paul City Council to commit to equity in education by supporting and granting the zoning variances required by Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) to turn Linwood Monroe Arts Plus (LMAP) into an ADA accessible and equitable school for the 21st century. We believe, and know that you do too, that Saint Paul kids deserve more than just accommodations. They deserve accessible buildings, room to learn, and spaces to play and create.

The current LMAP buildings are not meeting the needs of its children and teachers. These improvements remedy this failure and make an equitable school for the children of Saint Paul.

We believe our improvements put our children’s future first. All students deserve high quality, equitable learning environments, no matter who they are, where they live, or where they go to school. As educators and parents, we live and teach it every day. For us, our commitment goes beyond green and open spaces. To us, equity means:

a commitment to educational success with ADA accessible classrooms, bathrooms and performance spaces
giving students enough space in their classrooms to learn and teachers enough space in their classrooms for 21st century best teaching practices (and to fit a grown up desk)
adequate HVAC systems so kindergarteners do not have to wear winter coats in their classrooms just to stay warm
developmentally appropriate facilities by grade level
a superb indoor play space for our Minnesota winters in addition to improved outdoor and green spaces
a separate cafeteria so kids can actually eat at a regular time
spaces for individual and group instruction that is not in the hallway
LMAP is the only public, arts education pre-K to 8 school in Saint Paul, serving 67% students of color, 67% low-income students, 17% students with disabilities, and 38% ELL students, and most of our students come from outside the neighborhood. Unfortunately, our Linwood Neighborhood Friends oppose our school’s needed improvements.

Our kids deserve a 21st century building with a facility that reflects our commitment to their growth and advancement in this world. If you too believe in equity and our kids at Linwood and SPPS, let the Board of Zoning Appeals, the Saint Paul City Council and Mayor Chris Coleman know that you support the Linwood Arts Plus improvements!

For more information, please check out the "Advocates for LMAP​" website at www.advocatesforLMAP.org.