Pocono News Section

WASD Renovation Plans

WASD Renovation Plans - Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 11:07PM EST

Williamsport, Lycoming County-
Parents and taxpayers voiced their opinions in central Pennsylvania Tuesday night. It was all in regard to some potentially costly renovation plans for the Williamsport Area School District.

An architect says it’ll cost $80-92 million for the renovations. Declining enrollment and outdated facilities mean action must be taken soon.

About seventy people crowded into the Lycoming Valley Middle School auditorium to question school board officials on the four proposed options.

Parent Carol Fausnaught said, “As a taxpayer, I’m concerned about the implications for our taxes both in the short run and the long run. But then also, more importantly, I’m concerned about the overall education of our kids.”

All of the plans have their own advantages and disadvantages. The goal of each is to cut costs for the district in the future.

Fausnaught noted, “We have no option but to invest in the buildings we have. The question, I think, for everybody’s discussion, is just which is the best option.”

Parents questioned how the governor’s bid to consolidate Pennsylvania’s 500 school districts would affect Williamsport’s plans.

But some of the night’s most heated conversation surrounded plans that could send 7th and 8th graders to the high school. Parents voiced their concerns in light of a series of brawls at the school just two weeks ago.

Parent Deb Bernocco questioned, “Is this necessary to have 8th graders with the 12th graders? A lot of us feel it is not necessary.”

But others note that the high school was originally designed as three mini-schools within one larger building.

School Board President David Stone explained, “There are three pods in the high school, and so it is possible to have a reasonable degree of separation.”

Questions were also raised into how many teachers or principals might lose jobs through the consolidation.

Board members say they hope to move forward with one of the outlined plans within six months.

Bernocco added, “At this point, we just want what’s best for our children.”

Two more public input meetings on the proposed renovations are coming up.

One is March 10th at Jackson Elementary School. The other is March 17th at Curtin Middle School.

Both meetings start at 7pm.