About Us

Who We Are

LMVUE is a non-profit community organization comprised of Lower Merion residents. We believe that community is stronger and more effective when we stand together, and that neighbors must help neighbors work to affect positive change. It is our hope that as a community organization we can address inequities within the Lower Merion School District and be available to advocate on behalf of children and families as needed. We strive to have a positive impact on the LMSD community and support neighbors, friends and allies in their endeavors to improve the educational system and overall community for the residents of Lower Merion.

What We Are Currently Working On

LMVUE is focused on the recent school redistricting in Lower Merion. The current redistricting plan has had an unacceptable impact on our historic and cohesive neighborhoods. We are pursuing actions intended to change inequitable school assignment.

We are advocating for a plan that actually achieves what the District set out to do — equalize the middle and high schools — without irrevocably dividing neighborhoods in the process. We continue to monitor and provide input into all processes related to implementation of redistricting and the transition phase so that the voices of all, particularly those affected, will be heard.

We also seek input on what issues our neighbors are most concerned about, and how we might best address them. Our children are watching us; now is the time to show them how to stand up for what is fair and equitable.

We are advocating with our School Board and Administration for equal course programming and instruction at both Harriton and Lower Merion High Schools.

We are educating ourselves and our community about the ongoing achievement gap between minority and non-minority students, beginning at the elementary school level. 

What We Stand For

We believe that the Lower Merion School District’s mission, planning and operations should be developed in concert with the overall Township planning and goals. This will ensure that our township’s natural resources, infrastructure and planning, together with the School Board’s management of the educational needs of all our children, are maximized and mutually compatible.

We believe it takes a whole, intact village to raise a child. Neighborhoods should be preserved rather than divided to satisfy ‘head counts.’ Our educators should respect the role of both the neighborhood and the school in raising a healthy, well-balanced child. 

We believe the current redistricting plan should offer high school choice to the entire eastern part of the District, rather than singling out parts of vital, contiguous neighborhoods to be excluded from choice.  We advocate for an equitable districting plan where both of our wonderful high schools share the benefits as well as the challenges of redistributing attendance. 

We believe it is important to be prepared. We will advocate for full participation in planning and executing transition related activities so our children move smoothly into their next educational challenge.

We believe we should hold the District accountable to their commitment of truly equal academic, elective, and co-curricular programming in our high schools. As such, we will advocate and participate in any way we can to ensure adherence to this commitment.  

We believe student and family access is as important as attendance. We advocate for support services that ensure that all of our community have easy and equitable access to the schools our children attend.

Executive Board:

Kate Galer - President

Lynn Brandsma - Vice President
Chris Milani - Treasurer
Anastasia Frandsen - Secretary

Board of Directors:
Stefanie Y. Thompson
Regina Brown
Sarah Carroll
Judy Diehl
Marianne Paolitino