Are You Sure This Isn't From Morrisville?

When the words "Residents Are Split..." show up in the headline, I assume that our intrepid BCCT reporters have just come from another Palmer Avenue free for all session.

However, this time it's our brethren in Neshaminy where the fight is over closing some schools to save money. The only real difference between this fight and ours in Morrisville is that the Neshaminy students would remain inside their own district. The Morrisville school closure would scatter the students to the lowest bidder.

Otherwise, it's the same fight. Senior citizens want the board to close schools to ease growing tax bills. Kids and parents want the schools to stay open.

Take a look at the comments from the BCCT readership. Looks like another contentious schools fight is brewing in Lower Bucks.

Residents are split on closing schools

By RACHEL CANELLI
Bucks County Courier Times

To many Neshaminy students, parents and teachers, a school isn't just people - it's a place they call home.

That's what some educators, parents and pupils told the Neshaminy school board Friday night when more than a few hundred people turned out for two public hearings to discuss the possible closure of Neshaminy Middle School and the Tawanka Learning Center, the district's alternative program facility.

That program would be moved to another district building, officials said. But kids and teachers said it's important that Tawanka have its own separate place.

“I strongly believe that the program will not be as effective in any other setting,” said senior Katie Colon. “It's a tremendous difference to go to school where the hallways are never crowded, and the classrooms are safe and inviting.”

The edifice, built in 1964, and its 21 acres, could be worth $4.25 million officials said.

“My fear is that students will return to the very environment where they felt unknown and unwanted,” said teacher Josh Krieger.

Many senior citizens, though, asked the district to consider closing both schools to help ease their burden of growing tax bills.

With declining enrollment, underutilized buildings and a projected more than $12 million deficit, business administrator Joseph Paradise said the district has to consider closing schools.

Neshaminy Middle School was previously scheduled to close next year when ninth-graders move to the newly renovated high school. The board recently decided to reconsider this year as an option due to financial constraints and a strict timeline.

But students asked the board to wait one more year.

“We're searching for our identities,” said Jacqueline Kramer, an eighth-grader at Maple Point Middle School who presented the board with a petition of 260 students opposing the closure. “If our schools are combined, we'll be lost in the crowd.”

Both educators and parents like Fran Weiner said they're concerned the board is rushing into the decision to close a middle school and redistrict without planning.

“Allow the ninth-graders to finish in the school they started,” said Weiner, of Langhone.

With more than 660 students, Neshaminy Middle was built in 1965. The school, nationally recognized for its health initiatives, has 47 classrooms and 40 acres, officials said.

Teacher Kevin Knowles called Neshaminy Middle School a community that's created a tradition of culture and achievement.

“It's more than just a building, you'll be closing the spirit of our school,” said ninth-grader Mark Stanford.

Students also expressed concern over continuing extracurricular activities at another school and asked for the chance to have one last great year in their building.

In anticipation of a possible closure, a redistricting committee has already been formed of board members, administrators and parents. Their recommendation is expected in May, administrators said.

The school board did not make any decisions Friday night to close either facility because school code mandates that 90 days pass before they vote.