The hearing on the proposed closure of Levittown’s Walter Miller Elementary School was canceled by an 8-1 vote by the Neshaminy School Board. The move was expected after last week’s ad hoc committee meeting.
The board with the exception of Mike Morris voted in favor of canceling the hearing to gather evidence on the proposed closing.
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Morris, who has spoken out against closing Miller previously, said after the roughly 35-minute-long meeting that he felt the district needs to make up its mind – either close a school or put money into fixing current buildings. He added that he wanted all the information on consolidation to be exposed, “because this is not going to be different next year.”
Superintendent Robert Copeland told the board last week his administration could move forward with the plan to close Walter Miller and move fifth-grade to the middle school on deadline, but he would “rather not rush” because that would “open the opportunity for missteps.” The move to middle school for fifth-graders has been pushed off and will be investigated further.
Residents have packed recent board and ad hoc committee meetings to protest the planned consolidation.
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At Monday night’s meeting, residents like Debbie Letham spoke of what makes the Walter Miller school community “magic.” Similar comments have punctuated recent board meetings.
Former district board member Ralph Clark spoke before the vote and said Miller is one of the most up-to-date building. He said a major renovation of the property was completed about two-decades ago. It’s an argument parents have also made recently. They often note the schools addition of SmartBoards and modern library.
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One resident said he feared his home value would go down if the school closed. Board member Susan Cummings refuted that claim and said the school would likely be used by the intermediate unit if it were to close.
The board was interrupted several times during the meeting by audience members who were asking questions past the public comment portion of the meeting.
Board President Scott Congdon said the public will next have a chance to voice their opinion at the boards next meeting Tuesday evening at 7 p.m. in the board room at Maple Point Middle School in Middletown.
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