Attention Parents, Staff and community members,

In June, the Silver City Planning and Zoning Commission approved a request from Supporting People in Need or SPIN, a company who provides services and housing for individuals transitioning from addiction, prison or jail, to operate at 505 N. Cooper St. This business is located directly across the street from 6th St., Elementary school. SPIN states that it is a sober living family environment and that they are careful to vet participants for violent crimes, sexual crimes and crimes against children.

Over the last two weeks Silver Schools has become aware of the facility's existence across the street from one of our elementary schools, we have engaged all appropriate entities in addressing the matter. Silver Schools has learned that this facility has been in operation since January 2022. To date, individuals have been placed and/or under the supervision of adult probation at this location, and at least one past or present resident has committed a violent crime. While Silver Consolidated Schools supports and welcomes the opportunity for all of our community citizens to have a second chance, we have concerns regarding student safety, staff safety, and public safety related to such a residential facility being located so near a public school.

This week July 7, Silver Consolidated Schools submitted an appeal to the Planning and Zoning Commission. The notice of appeal was filed timely within the 15 days of the final decision of the planning and zoning commission. On July 8, Silver Consolidated Schools received a notice from our Silver City Town Council that a Remand of CU 22-01, the Conditional Use Permit for SPIN is on the agenda for Tuesday, July 12, 2022 at 6:00 PM at the Grant County Administration Building. Public input is welcome during the meeting.

Silver Consolidated Schools would like to sincerely thank our City Officials for quickly reviewing this matter, hearing without objection our concerns, and taking action.

Silver Schools requests that the Town Council remand the conditional use permit and returns review of the matter back to the Planning and Zoning commission. We further ask that the Commission ensures that the applicant for the permit provides sufficient notice to the school district and the public including, parents of students attending the elementary school of the application for a conditional use permit. Finally, we ask that the Commission take into consideration the concerns of public safety from members of the public, parents, guardians, law-enforcement, and other governmental entities regarding the placement of a residential facility for recently released offenders near the Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten, 6th Street Elementary Campus. As such, the school district position at any hearing will be that the facility be moved away from any public school.

Respectfully,

William Hawkins
Silver Consolidated Schools Superintendent
Trust, Respect, Intentionality, Optimism, Caring