School board continues to take comment in potential closure issue
CONNELLSVILLE – The Connellsville Area School Board was again urged to consider the needs of the students as it begins the final phase of deliberation concerning the closure of schools.
Last month the board conducted two public hearings to take testimony as it considers four options, including the closure of Zachariah Connell Elementary School, Junior High West, both school facilities or to retain the current status of the buildings.
The public has until 3 p.m. Monday to submit written comment in the matter.
According to the state Public School Code, the board must wait 90 days after the public hearing to make a formal decision. District solicitor Christopher Stern said that the “cooling off” period expires May 15.
On Wednesday, several residents offered suggestions for consideration, with all asking that the priority be those that will be most affected by any changes approved by the board.
“You were elected to represent each and every child in the district,” said Toni Sanner, Zachariah Connell PTO president and parent. “This is a huge decision. Sit down and read over the facts and figures.
“Everything I have read supports maintaining our larger schools.”
Connellsville resident and former educator Evan Nardone urged the board to reconsider the closure of the junior high school and to maintain the grade 7 through 9 configuration.
“An obligation exists on the part of local board directors to protect those school facilities that are an inheritance and presented to the citizens at a cost to previous generations,” he said. “Care should be taken before selecting and discarding.”
The board voted last year to transfer the freshman class now attending the district’s two junior high schools to the senior high at the start of the next school year.
With the move, the population will be decreased to 318 students at Junior High West (JHW) and 476 students at Junior High East (JHE).
The plan under consideration by the board would combine the two grade levels at JHE and then move the Zachariah Connell students into a renovated JHW at the start of the 2013-14 school year. There has also been discussion by the board to have other district elementary schools absorb the nearly 400 students if it opts to retain JHW and close Zachariah Connell.
The board agreed with a request from parent Sherry Shultz to conduct tours of the other elementary buildings. Parents must contact the building principals by 3 p.m. March 23 to schedule a tour.
Building tours were previously held at the two junior high schools and Zachariah Connell.
Written comments can be mailed to the district in care of board secretary Vicki McWilliams at P.O. Box 861, Connellsville, Pa. 15425 or emailed to the administration at 780@casdfalcons.org.
In other action, the board also conducted the following business:
n Agreed to contact the state Department of Education to obtain a waiver that would permit Dr. Tammy Stern to continue as interim superintendent until the position is filled.
n Added Eugene Myers, Karen Stewart and Janice Fencil to the E.W. Colborn Bus Lines driver list.
n Agreed to offer a summer food program at Bullskin Township, Dunbar Township, South Side, Springfield Township and Zachariah Connell elementary schools.