Letter to the Editor: Save Our Neshaminy Elementary Schools

Submitted by Ed Kern:

We are a rapidly growing group of concerned citizens that don’t believe that we need to spend approximately $37 million to build a new super-sized elementary school in one part of the district and add rooms in another. Nor do we believe that three elementary schools should be closed and sold.  As taxpayers, we believe that our money should be spent to fix up all the current neighborhood elementary schools, provide adequate security measures to each existing facility, and to reinstate educational programs that have been cut over the past several years.

The Board wants to build a new super-sized elementary school in Lower Southampton, one of the Neshaminy‘s three regions. This will be done at the cost of closing three elementary schools across the district and obtaining a $50 million dollar bond to fund its construction and install air conditioning in the remaining schools. As taxpayers we would rather see our money go toward upgrading ALL the elementary schools and reinstating educational programs that have been cut over the years. This new supersized building will only serve 25% of the projected student population. Over 2,800 elementary students will never see the inside of this building. Some areas of Langhorne and all of Levittown will NOT be going to the new school. We would rather see ALL the elementary schools be brought up to current codes and standards. Unfortunately, the Boards plan will create a division in the Neshaminy school district.  We should be ONE district providing equal educational opportunities for all of our children.

The Board is also proposing that they close and sell one neighborhood elementary school in each of the three regions. They are: Samuel Everitt or Walter Miller in Levittown, Oliver Heckman in Langhorne and Lower Southampton in Lower Southampton Township

We don’t believe there is a solid, long-term reason to close any elementary school. There has only been a 2% decline in elementary enrollment in the last 10 years. Class sizes are finally reasonable.  In communities like ours population shifts are common. In one cycle one region may experience enrollment growth and another enrollment decline. The cycle will shift and enrollments will change. Will the district be able to handle a population shift once it has sold the buildings?

If it’s because the buildings are in need of repair then we have to ask why? We have charged the district with taking care of these facilities.

Our schools were built as neighborhood schools and most parents like the idea of that concept. Many young families move to this area because of the schools. Smaller schools create an environment that encourages positive academic, social and emotional growth in children of that age.

The jury is still out on any educational benefits that a large school environment could provide, if any. So why should we spend $37 million to find out?

Besides breaking up the neighborhood school concept we are concerned that closing these schools will have a negative effect on property value. The Board wants to close and sell these schools. What or who will buy these buildings and what kind of establishment will be in your neighborhood? Or, maybe they’ll just be empty buildings!

And, by closing Oliver Heckman the Board will be closing the only elementary school in Langhorne borough.

In conclusion: Rather than building a new super-sized elementary school we would much rather see our tax money go toward upgrading the existing neighborhood schools and reinstating educational programs that have been cut over the years. We must remain cautious about the finances but must ultimately ask ourselves what is the best educational environment for our children. Smaller neighborhood schools are better.

As transparent as the Board has claimed to be we are finding out that the majority of the people we have contacted do not understand the impact of their proposal, nor do they want it.

We believe that a decision this big, both educationally and financially, should go to the taxpayers in the form of a referendum. Please visit our Facebook page “Save our Neshaminy Elementary Schools”.

Ed Kern, Levittown, is a retired Superintendent of Schools.