Upper Darby administration proposes closing Charles Kelley Elementary; board agrees to advertise hearing

Upper Darby School District administrators told the Finance and Operations Committee on Tuesday that they are proposing to close Charles Kelley Elementary School and redistrict students to nearby district‑owned buildings, and they asked the board to authorize a formal, advertised closure hearing beginning in January.

The presentation focused on short‑term elementary redistricting intended to eliminate leased space and to move students into Upper Darby‑owned schools. District officials said students in grades 1–5 from Charles Kelley would be reassigned to Highland Park and Stonehurst Hills elementary schools, while kindergarten students from the affected catchment would continue to attend the district kindergarten center. Administrators said they would advertise a closure hearing no later than Jan. 13, 2025, hold the hearing on Jan. 28, 2025 (5 p.m.), keep the public comment record open for at least 90 days, and return to the board for a possible closure vote at the April 29, 2025 committee/board meeting.

Administrators emphasized the proposal is intended to reduce reliance on leased, non‑district facilities and to preserve staffing levels within the district. “No one will be losing their job with this proposed movement,” the…