Jun 8, 2010 By Patty Yauger 3 min read

CONNELLSVILLE – Action taken last month by the Connellsville Area School Board to transfer approximately 50 students now attending Dunbar Township Elementary School to Dunbar Borough Elementary School attracted criticism from several parents and their legal counsel Monday about the action. “They are extremely concerned about the move,” said Charleroi attorney David Lint. “They feel they have not been treated fairly.”

By a 6-1 vote, the board agreed to move those in kindergarten through grade five and living in the community of Monarch and along Eighty Acres Road to Dunbar Borough beginning in the fall.

The move, said district Superintendent Dr. David R. Goodin, would allow the district to reduce the staffing at Dunbar Township by five teachers and cut overall spending.

“This is being done in the best interest of the overall district,” said Goodin.

According to Goodin, the residence of approximatly 50 students lies within the Dunbar Borough school attendance zone.

However, parents said the move is not in the best interest of the students.

Parent John Hustofsky said that that the district is responsible for a “safe and stable learning environment” and from the conversations that he has had with those affected, it is not the case.

“The kids are concerned,” he said.

Lint said that the parents were not given an opportunity in advance of the board action to discuss the matter.

“They didn’t receive letters; they didn’t receive opportunities to be heard,” he said.

While Lint surmised that the affected families would not be permitted to take advantage of a policy that allows parents to transport their child to another building outside their attendance zone, board solicitor Christopher Stern said that the opportunity is available, provided that the building can support the transfer of students.

With the planned decrease of staff at the Dunbar Township building, Goodin indicated that the school may not be able to support additional students.

“It is something we will have to look at as parents make their request,” he said.

Lint also pointed to a recent feasibility study of the Dunbar Borough school that cited several deficiencies and recommended that the building be permanently closed.

Additionally, Lint advised the board that the affected parents plan to pursue all options available should the measure not be rescinded.

Lint also presented a petition requesting the board revisit the issue.

No action was taken. However, board vice-President Jon Detwiler said that the members would review the information submitted.

In a related issue, the board also appears likely to revisit the matter of eliminating the Agricultural Program at the Connellsville Area Career and Technical School.

The matter was brought to the board last month for consideration, but a motion to remove the curriculum option died for a lack of a second.

Board members Jim Fabian and Francis Mongell said that they would not support the measure if brought before the board for a vote at the Wednesday regular meeting.