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Public commenters urge board to consider school-site purchase and to press for protections on charter and benefit cuts
Summary
During public comment, a resident urged the board to consider buying a field adjacent to a neighborhood school for future expansion; another speaker urged the board to adopt a resolution opposing charter school funding imbalances and to solicit parent input on possible Medicaid and program changes affecting students.
During the public-comment portion of the meeting, two residents urged the board to take different actions on behalf of district students and families.
Michael Lee of 123 West Sylvan Avenue told the board he attended a recent school musical and suggested the district consider acquiring a field adjacent to St. Bold School for future expansion. "You might want to consider purchasing the field right next to it, which I believe is still currently owned by Verizon," Lee said, suggesting the district talk to the company and consider pre‑purchasing the site to avoid future land searches should the school need to expand.
Jim McLaughlin of 141 South Rolling Road, a former school director, asked the board to engage parents about potential impacts from planned education and Medicaid changes and proposed the board adopt a resolution to protect students and families. McLaughlin also criticized the district’s earlier decision not to pass a resolution concerning charter-school funding: "Out of 500 districts in Pennsylvania, 471 other school districts ... have passed resolutions calling for changes to the policies on charter schools ... Springfield is the only school district in Delco that did not pass this resolution. This is shameful," he said. He said the district should seek parents’ input and consider a resolution calling for protections for students potentially affected by program cuts.
Board President Bruce Lord thanked the speakers; the public comments did not prompt immediate board action during the meeting.
Why it matters: Public comments raised two issues with potential future implications — site acquisition for school expansion and board advocacy on statewide education funding and program changes. Neither item resulted in an immediate vote; Mr. McLaughlin asked the board to solicit parent input and consider formal board action in the future.
