Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
Despite impassioned pleas from students, parents and neighbors of Village Park Elementary School in the Levittown section of Falls Township, the school will close in June.
The closure, which has been talked about for months, was approved 7-2 by the Pennsbury School Board at Thursday night’s meeting.
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Closing the Unity Drive school is expected to save the district approximately $1.4 million per a year, district officials said. The savings are expected to mainly come from utilities, staff, maintenance and technical upgrades that will no longer be needed.
Officials said previously the staff reduction is expected through attrition. The school currently employees about 30 people.
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The Elementary Enrollment and Space Utilization Committee recommended closing the school based on costs and enrollment numbers.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
“Tonight is the night all Village Park students and parents are dreading,” parent Rhonda Goldschmidt said. “There have been many options before you (the board) that have not been explored.”
Board member John Palmer and Jacqueline Redner voted against closing the community-based school.
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“I believe there are more options,” Palmer said. “There is no way I can vote in favor of closing Village Park.”
Board member Howard Goldberg said the community brought up valid points to keep the school open, but cost and the school’s unique pod learning environment were the factoring issues in his decision to vote to close the school.
After the board voted to close the school, students and parents were seen wiping tears from there eyes. One young girl was seen embracing Principal Helen Stopper, who sat in the back of the audience.
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The district has not yet announced what will become of the school.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
