Parent urges Neshaminy School Board to delay redistricting moves or provide transition plan for elementary students

A parent told the Neshaminy School Board during public comment that 15 third-grade students at Joseph Ferrebar Elementary are slated to move to another elementary school for fourth grade and that the family has received little notice or transitional support from the district.

"I'm a parent of one of the 15 third graders at Joseph Ferrebar Elementary School being affected by the redistricting," Amy Schnaufer said. "My daughter, Charlotte, is one of 15 students at Joseph Ferrebar being sent to Towanda for her final year of elementary school." Schnaufer said the family received the district's last correspondence about the move on Sept. 18 and that there are fewer than 37 school days left in the academic year.

Schnaufer said she has concerns about the lack of transitional opportunities for students who will move schools, including unfamiliarity with classrooms, the nurse's office, bathrooms, hallways, lunchrooms, libraries and playgrounds. She said some students have individualized education programs (IEPs) and that changes to bus routes and drivers compound the disruption. She asked what options are available for families who disagree with the move.

Schnaufer said she had discussed the matter with a district staff member, identified in her remarks as "Mr. Meehan," and that he was helpful on the phone; she said, however, that no formal in-year transition visits have been scheduled. She said other districts have allowed third-graders to finish the year at their original schools in similar situations.

Board members did not announce any immediate policy changes during the meeting. The concerns were raised during the public comment portion of the meeting; the district did not provide a public timeline for additional transitional visits or exceptions at that session.