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Some against, some for consolidation

Residents speak out at public hearings

Sentinel photo by JULIANNE CAHILL
Paula Lauver, of Spruce Hill, speaks during the Act 34 Public Hearing for proposed consolidation at Fermanagh-Mifflintown Elementary School, held Wednesday evening at Juniata High School in Mifflintown.

MIFFLINTOWN — Taxpayers in Juniata County are not giving up their fight.

About 100 people attended the state-mandated Act 34 public hearings for elementary school consolidation. Most of those who offered public comment remain opposed to the project.

“Consolidation is a trend, and that’s all it is,” said Leah Fronk, a mother of three who resides in Thompsontown. “We can do better for our students.”

During two public hearings held consecutively Wednesday evening at Juniata High School, school district administrators, construction managers, project planners and financial assistants presented the details of two proposed projects.

According to proposals, all west-end elementary schools are set to be consolidated into one building at the site of Fermanagh-Mifflintown Elementary School. East-end elementary schools are to be consolidated into one building at the site of Monroe Elementary School. Both projects would include renovation of current facilities and the

addition of new classroom space.

District administration cites safety and security, enrollment, uneven class sizes,

delivery of subject matter, deteriorating infrastructure and other reasons for closing its individual community school buildings and moving into a total of three, from eight, primary school buildings.

Lack-Tuscarora Elementary School is not included in the consolidation, as previously reported by The Sentinel.

During public comment periods, taxpayer and county resident Daniel Love asked the school board to vote “not by what you personally desire, but what the taxpayers desire.”

“Board members, you have changed PlanCon before,” he said, citing modifications made to state project proposals earlier in the process. “It still can be changed.”

Paula Lauver, of Spruce Hill, also expressed concern for the financial burden that may be placed on county residents.

Lauver said, if consolidation moves forward as proposed, the district will reach almost $91 million in debt. Projected energy and staff savings, she said, will be realized over the course of 25 or more years, leaving the district “neck-deep” in financial obligation.

“I don’t think it’s right for Juniata County,” she said.

Others who spoke expressed worry that there could be hour-long bus rides ahead for their young children and grandchildren, who live a distance from their proposed “home” school.

“There are far better options that need to be considered,” Lauren Smith, mother of six, said.

Still, there was support voiced in favor of consolidation.

Simon Cameron, resident of Delaware Township and teacher in the district, said it’s important county residents use correct data to assess the proposals. If schools are consolidated as proposed, he said affected elementary schools will be about the size of the district’s high schools.

“These aren’t large, massive schools,” he said.

Cameron, who has two daughters attending schools in the district, said he believes consolidation will result in better oversight and better education.

Others questioned administrators about the effect consolidation will have on the community as a whole.

Lawrence Beaston, of East Waterford, expressed concern over the socio-cultural effects of such a project. He said the district’s list of potential benefits lacks support.

Beaston said he has not found empirical evidence that teachers in large schools collaborate and share resources more than those in small schools. A large school doesn’t necessarily mean more social opportunities for students either, he said, and attendance at after-school activities and parent participation may decline.

Tiffani Burger, of East Salem, asked what will happen to the buildings that close and what costs the district will face when they are sitting empty.

The hearings were held back-to-back Wednesday night, beginning at 7 p.m. and concluding at about 10:30 p.m. The hearings are part of a process required by PlanCon, a state program that reimburses school districts for a portion of large construction projects.

The district has authorized consolidation at the site of Fermanagh-Mifflintown Elementary School at a cost not to exceed $17,650,791, and a maximum building construction cost of $10,222,936. A maximum project cost of $14,033,593 has been authorized for work at the site of Monroe Elementary School, with a maximum building construction cost of $8,218,798.

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