WCASD Will Not Close Elem. School

The following is a press release from the West Chester Area School District.

The Property and Finance Committee of the School Board met on Monday, November 19, 2012. One of the topics discussed was the data collected for the Space Consolidation Committee, and whether the district should go to a nine elementary school plan or remain with our current ten elementary school plan. After much discussion and comment from the public in attendance, the Property and Finance Committee voted 4-0 to maintain a 10 school plan.

This is what the decision means:

1.       There will not be another presentation made at the November 26 school board meeting to discuss additional data regarding space consolidation.

2.       There will not be a vote taken to close a school at the December 17 school board meeting.

3.       The school board will continue with its plan to renovate 10 elementary schools, future budgets permitting.

4.       East Bradford renovations will continue as planned.

This decision is important because the school district can now begin its planning to redistrict students to provide relief at Hillsdale and Starkweather Elementary Schools and to add students to East Bradford.

The members of the Property and Finance Committee also asked the administration to consider a redistricting plan that would keep students together when moving from elementary to middle school. Currently, students within Hillsdale and students within Fern Hill Elementary Schools are split up as they move on to two different middle schools.  

The district will begin working on a redistricting plan in fall, 2013. We will provide additional information when that planning process begins. The redistricting plan will be implemented at the conclusion of the renovations of East Bradford, most likely in fall, 2016. 

Please have a restful and healthy Thanksgiving holiday with your family. Thanks for your support of our schools and programs!

Sincerely,

Dr. Jim Scanlon

Superintendent