Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
The Act 34 hearings held Thursday evening at the Ben Franklin School, which serves as the Bristol Township School District’s administration building, are arguably some of the most important meetings in district’s recent history. However, the two hearings – one for James Buchanan Elementary School on Haines Road and the other for Ralph Waldo Emerson Elementary School on Mill Creek Road in Levittown – were attended by no more than 15 residents.
The hearings are mandated by the state and gave residents information on the plan, budget and also allowed public comment, all of which is documented and sent off to the state as public record. The hearings are required of any district before embarking on a large school closing, reconstruction or expansion project.
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Even to a crowd of less than five residents during the Emerson hearing, district officials still followed through on their end of the state-mandated meetings and presented their plans to build two new 1,300-student elementary schools, which could cost close to $40 million each, and close the remaining nine. A third school’s plans will go before the zoning board on Monday.
Many of the residents who attended the hearings are regular faces at Bristol Township School Board meetings.
Croydon resident John Riotto, a senior citizen on a fixed income, spoke during public comment about his concerns on increased taxes because of the massive undertaking the district is moving forward with. He has said previously that he may be forced to move out of the district if taxes increase.
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Officials from the district and the project’s building team have balked at claims from residents that taxes will increase to pay for the project.
After the first hearing, resident Christine Hager told LevittownNow.com that she has mixed feelings on the project.
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“I want my kids to have the best they can, but at what cost?” she asked.
Last month, the school board approved a General Obligation Bond Parameters Resolution, which enables the superintendent and board president to approve a bond purchase agreement.
The facilities overhaul would close Franklin D. Roosevelt Middle School; Neil A. Armstrong Middle School and the former Benjamin Franklin School, currently home to the district administrative staff, would be renovated for students. Harry S. Truman High School would not see any major construction. Clara Barton Elementary School would be re-purposed into the administration and maintenance building. The district hopes to complete at least two of the new schools by September 2015.
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