A group of Neshaminy School District residents met Monday evening to talk about the proposed plan that could close neighborhood elementary schools in the district and move fifth graders to middle school.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
A group of more than a dozen residents from all parts of the district met in the Levittown home of Jim and Lisa Jenca.
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Over baked treats, the residents discussed their thoughts on the plan and how they could get taxpayers in the know on the plan, which could be voted on by the school board by the time Christmas comes around.
School board member Mike Morris, who has spoken out against the plan, talked about the proposal with the taxpayers. Democratic congressional candidate Kevin Strouse and Democratic Candidate for the 142nd State House District Gina Kiley also attended, both have families with children and live in Middletown.
“You move to the area for the neighborhood schools,” Kiley said.
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Parent Melissa Perrin spoke highly of the education her children received at Samuel Everitt Elementary School in Levittown, which could be closed under the plan.
“My kids were wildly successful due to the team of teachers at this little school,” she said.
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The group of residents weren’t just concerned with proposed closing, they voiced displease with the possible move to a 5 through 8 middle school system. Currently, the district houses grades 6 to 8 in the district’s three middle schools.
“I just think it’s rotten what they’re doing,” Jim Jenca said of the proposed consolation and middle school shuffle.
The school board approved a potential “roadmap” for the district in June. Here’s an outline of the plan that has upset some residents:
- Close Samuel Everitt Elementary School in Levittown by June 2015 and allowed the IU to lease the building.
- Close Langhorne’s Oliver Heckman and Lower Southampton elementary schools by June 2016.
- Build a new 900-student elementary school at the Tawanka site in Lower Southampton. The new school would be ready for students by September 2016. The new building would cost about $30 million.
- Five schools in the district would get Act 39 energy saving upgrades over the summers of 2015 and 2016.
- Reconfigure the middle schools to house grades 5 through 8.
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District officials have said the plan would help save Neshaminy millions over the next few years.
The group of residents at Monday’s informal get together said they would be willing to pay a few dollars more in taxes to keep the schools open.
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As the discussion progressed, the taxpayers spoke of ideas to energize other residents and get them to speak against the plan at upcoming school board meetings.
A community rally to save the schools will be held Wednesday at 5 p.m. at the Samuel Everitt Elementary School playground. The event, which is open to all, will give residents an opportunity to speak out about the plan and talk to their community members.
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Some residents in Levittown have talked to their neighbors about the plan and encouraged them to speak at the public school board meetings.
At the last meeting, dozens of residents came up during public comment to speak against the plans.
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“We need twice the amount of people at this coming meeting,” Jenca said. “The voice of the residents is the most important one we have.”
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