UPDATE:
Public outcry over a middle school on the chopping block in Cumberland County.
At 5 and 6, we told you about the budget constraints facing the West Shore School District.
Now, people in the district are reacting and people are not happy.
The two options the school district put forward are closing down Lemoyne Middle School or New Cumberland Middle School.
Any one of these plans would save the district over one million dollars, but Wednesday night parents and teachers from both schools gathered at Cedar Cliff High School to give their opinions on the proposal.
“When I talked to my son today and said, ‘there’s a meeting today, your school might be closing,’ he said, ‘mommy, that sucks,’” one parent told the board.
That sentiment was shared with most of the people who attended Wednesday night’s meeting.
The proposal set forth by the West Shore School District would send students to three middle schools instead of four.
Parents in attendance strongly opposed the plan, citing reasons from the quality of education to convenience.
“My son is a sixth grader that walks home everyday and he knows everybody on the block,” said one frustrated parent.
If one school is shut down, students who have friends at their current school may be forced to attend a different school.
As people approached the microphone, they brought different ideas on how to save their schools by either cutting in other areas.
“Has the district ever looked at how many people make the top salaries and how to reap in those savings by cutting down on the number of administrators?” questioned one person in attendance.
The School Board will meet again to discuss the comments they heard at Wednesday night’s meeting, but they’re not planning on making a final decision until April or May.
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The West Shore School District is seeking public comment Wednesday night on a proposal to close one of its four middle schools. The meeting begins at six o’clock at Cedar Cliff High School.
Last month, school board members were provided with two scenarios. One would close Lemoyne Middle School, and the other would shutter New Cumberland Middle School.
Both schools have served their respective communities well. In Lemoyne, the school sits along busy Market Street. New Cumberland Middle School is nestled in a residential neighborhood west of Bridge Street.
In one proposal, Lemoyne would remain open and would house students in a revised attendance area as well as those from New Cumberland. In the other, it’s just reversed.
New Cumberland would remain open with students from a revised attendance area and those who currently go to Lemoyne.
A study by the district’s Director of Pupil Services estimates closing either middle school would save West Shore School District $1.5 million dollars annually in staff salaries, utility costs and others.
That savings takes into consideration that transportation costs will jump by $70,000.
Several district residents aren’t excited about having to close either middle school. Reasons range from convenience to employment to sentimentality.
The school board will review feedback from Wednesday night’s hearing. Members could ask the Director of Pupil Services to do additional studies before a final decision is expected in April or May.
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A public hearing will be held on whether the West Shore School District should close either Lemoyne or New Cumberland Middle School.
The District says closing one of the schools will save an estimated one-point-one-five million dollars.
It also says there would be enough room at the remaining three middle schools to redistrict the students from the closing one.
Officials will make a final decision in the Spring.
Tonight's hearing starts at six at Cedar Cliff High School.