LEWISTOWN - After allotting 90 minutes to allow the public sufficient time to make their feelings known on the Mifflin County School Board's September decision to close Union Elementary School, a public closure hearing was adjourned after eight minutes Thursday when it became obvious that no one was on hand to make comments.
Superintendent James Estep said the board was required to conduct the hearing "persuant to section 7-780 and 13-1311 of the school code in the event of a permanent closing."
Estep said enrollment at Union currently stands at 61 students.
"To remind everybody of another piece of rationale," Estep continued, "there is demonstrated proof that we have the capacity of adding those pupils at the Indian Valley Elementary Center. The center is prepared to handle that student load and still won't be at capacity."
Estep said with the closure of Union Elementary, the district will realize approximately $200,000 a year in savings that can be "applied to any debt service payments incurred on the renovation process at Indian Valley Elementary Center. Also by doing so (closing Union) will enable the unlocking of $690,000 in state aid from the Pennsylvania Department of Education under PlanCon for the Indian Valley Elementary Center."
Prior to Estep's comments, a quorum was established with board members James Hurlburt, Beth Laughlin, Travis Parkes, Kirk Rager, Mary Lou Sigler and Annemarie Swineford in attendance. Not present for the hearing were board members Dr. Ruth Armstrong, Walter Harpster and Kristen Sharp.
