Upper Darby board schedules hearing on Charles Kelley building as redistricting plan advances

Superintendent Daniel McGarry told the Upper Darby School District Board of School Directors on Jan. 14 that the district will seek to move students out of the leased Charles Kelley building and return them to district-owned neighborhood schools where feasible.

The move is part of a broader facilities plan aimed at eliminating leased and modular classrooms. McGarry said the district’s goals include “to eliminate all modular classrooms on district property, and to get all students back in district owned schools.” He told the board there will be a public hearing on Jan. 28 about the options and that an email address will be open for public comment through April 29.

Why it matters: Charles Kelley occupies a non‑district facility under a lease the district said it cannot rely on for long-term repairs. Community speakers and parents urged the board to keep the small, family‑style school open; district staff said ownership and enrollment patterns are driving the proposal.

Key details and district response - Student representatives and staff described Charles Kelley as a small school valued by families, but the district said the lease status limits its ability to make capital improvements. - Superintendent McGarry said current enrollment patterns and district goals guided the proposal. He said Stonehurst Elementary has lost more than about 140 students since 2006 and that, after redistricting, class‑size averages across affected schools would be about 22.7 students per class. - McGarry said Charles Kelley is budgeted at 32 full‑time teacher equivalents (FTEs). He said the district expects 8 of those positions will be reassigned to cover shifting student needs and that the remaining 24 FTEs would likely fill other elementary vacancies produced by attrition and retirements. - The district plans further public meetings and staff briefings; McGarry said he would meet again with Charles Kelley staff and the home and school organization.

Public concerns Several written commenters urged the district not to close Charles Kelley and asked for more detail on capacity, transportation and who would pay for building repairs. A written comment asked whether the church that owns the building had been asked to make repairs.

What happens next The board scheduled a Jan. 28 hearing on the redistricting options and indicated the matter would return for further consideration; the superintendent said the board would not finalize action until after additional public engagement and required notices.