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Public addresses potential D. Ferd Swaney school closing

By Frances Borsodi Zajac fzajac@heraldstandard.Com 4 min read
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John F. Brothers | Herald-Standa

Several students and parents including (from left) Avery Walls and her mother Krisa Walls and Michele Kondrla and her daughters Camryn and Olivia, gathered in from of albert Gallatin High School Wednesday to protest the proposed closing of D. Fred Swaney elementary School.

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John F. Brothers | Herald-Standa

Members of the Albert Gallatin School Board listen to presentations fro the school district administration and testimony from members of the public Wednesday during a public hearing concerning the possible closing of D. Ferd Swaney Elementary School.

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John F. Brothers | Herald-Standa

Theresa Shelott, questions administrator about student performance, during a public hearing of the Albert Gallatin School Board, if class sizes increase do to the possible closing of D. Ferd Swaney Elementary School.

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John F. Brothers | Herald-Standard

Carl Bezjak, Albert Gallatin School District superintendent, presents information about underutilized elementary facilities in the district during Wednesday’s public hearing.

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Chris Pegg, director of transportation for the Albert Gallatin School District, during a public hearing Wednesday, explains how the boundaries of the 5 remaining elementary schools will be realigned if the school board chooses to close D. Ferd Swaney Elementary School.

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John F. Brothers | Herald-Standard

Krisa Walls, parent of a D. Ferd Swaney Elementary School student, voices her concerns about the potential closing of the school during a public hearing Wednesday to discuss the matter.

Albert Gallatin School District officials presented a case for the potential closing of D. Ferd Swaney Elementary School during a public hearing Wednesday night, then invited local residents to voice their concerns and ask questions.

About 10 people — most parents of students — spoke at the hearing, held in the high school cafeteria and attended by about 100 people. They shared worries about large classrooms, long bus rides and adjustments for their children. They voiced admiration for their school’s teachers and staff.

And many asked, “Why D. Ferd Swaney?”

Officials have proposed D. Ferd Swaney be closed for the beginning of the 2016-17 school year as the district deals with declining enrollment and revenue. Students would be transferred to three of the district’s five other elementary schools.

Most would be sent to A.L. Wilson in nearby Fairchance, which was constructed in 2008 and is a LEED-certified green building that is only 55 percent utilized. D. Ferd Swaney, located about four miles away, is only 59 percent utilized, with an approximate annual cost of building usage of $2 million.

Chris Pegg, director of transportation, said estimated 125 to 130 students from D. Ferd Swaney would be sent to A.L. Wilson Elementary, while 45 to 50 would be reassigned to George Plava in German Township and 35 to 40 students would then attend Smithfield Elementary.

Pegg pointed out maps that were placed on a cafeteria wall to show the current boundaries for each of these elementary schools and the new proposals. A PowerPoint presentation, which will be placed on the school district’s website, explained the new transportation routes.

Superintendent Carl Bezjak led the presentation, noting the decrease in enrollment, with 1,157 fewer students in the district since 1988.

“That is a high school,” he said of the number.

Principals also showed estimated student enrollment for 2016-17 at each of these elementary schools if the proposal goes through: A.L. Wilson, 362; Smithfield, 337; and George Plava, 340. Charts also showed grade level enrollments, teacher counts and project class sizes, the latter ranging from 20 students in the smallest classrooms to 28 in the largest.

Residents — mostly parents — then had an opportunity to speak.

They included Krisa Walls, who led a quiet protest outside the school before the meeting and created a Facebook page called “Save D. Ferd.

Walls said, “I understand the school has to do something about funding and declining population, and there have to be changes made.”

But she also voiced concerns about classroom size and Title 1 funding and noted, “I think it’s too early to make this decision.”

Patty Pennington, who has a child at A.L. Wilson, asked if any studies had been conducted to see how the change might affect student and teachers’ performance, commenting, “I’d like to see that before any decision is made.”

Wendell Everly Jr. said, “My biggest concern is too many kids in a class. How can you expect one teacher to teach 25 to 26 kids in a classroom with the new math?”

Tria Everly said, “You need to seriously think about what you are doing. This is our children’s future.”

The proposal brought some parents to quiet tears, but both sides showed each other respect and paid attention to each others’ remarks.

Yet, Tria Everly said, “I think you already made your decision.”

And Alma Maceiko, who’s been president of D. Ferd Swaney’s PTO for 10 years and currently has two children at the school, asked, “Are you listening to us or is this a formality you have to do to close the school?”

Doug Sholtis, school board president, addressed this issue when solicitor Lee Price asked if any members wanted to comment.

Sholtis said, “This is a heart-wrenching decision for the board. I can assure you that nothing has been set in stone.”

The school board is expected to vote on the proposal at the November meeting.

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