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Residents urge Jersey Shore Area SD board to rescind Salleysburg Elementary closure, raise grant and planning concerns
Summary
Multiple residents said the board moved to close Salleysburg Elementary without adequate planning, cited missing traffic, transportation and facility studies, and alleged the district submitted a $75,000 grant application that did not meet the Department of Community and Economic Development minimum project threshold.
Residents urged the Jersey Shore Area School District Board of School Directors on Dec. 3 to rescind a prior vote to close Salleysburg Elementary School, arguing the decision lacked necessary studies, a detailed implementation plan and correct grant paperwork.
"I’m here this evening to make a simple request that the board rescind its vote to close Salisbury Elementary School," said Rabier Lee of Piatt Township, who said the decision was made "without the necessary planning and preparation" and warned it could "do real harm to both students and taxpayers in our district." Lee asked the board to delay implementation so administrators and the board could develop traffic, transportation, cafeteria and playground assessments and a clear renovation cost estimate for any receiving schools.
Several other residents reiterated those concerns. Catherine Hoppell of Mifflin Township asked, "Where's the plan?" and pressed the board to publicly post answers to outstanding questions about bus schedules, lunchroom capacity and how the change would affect state grant eligibility.
Lauren Crouch of Jersey Shore criticized the district for a lack of transparency and questioned why the superintendent had not publicly answered all submitted questions. Crouch noted the district had told the public that Salleysburg needed a new HVAC system totaling $1,593,000, and said "when the grant was applied for the request for the money for the HVAC was left out." She said other district buildings received grant awards for HVAC projects.
Dr. Lily Langmont of Cummings Township reviewed the Department of Community and Economic Development’s (DCED) Public School Facility Improvement Grant requirements and said the district applied for $75,000 even though the grant specifies eligible projects with total project costs of $500,000 or more. "You applied for $75,000. Oops. You're off by a huge factor," she said, adding that the grant request "shall not exceed $5,000,000 per eligible improvement project." Dr. Langmont named Superintendent Dr. Brian Ulmer and Assistant Superintendent Dr. Laura Osenbach as the two signing authorities on the application and called for explanations from administration.
Other commenters highlighted community impacts: Becky Freezer of Anthony Township said the closure affects "over 700 current students" and noted Salleysburg’s recent use as an evacuation facility during flooding, saying losing that local resource could harm emergency response options. Several residents said they have alternatives and warned the district that parents may seek cyber charter or micro-school options if local schools are closed.
Not all public commenters opposed the closure. Wayne Kinley of Mifflin Township commended the board and administration, saying they "know the complete picture" and that the decision reflects long-term thinking.
Board chair closed public comment after a series of remarks about busing, personnel and other concerns; no motion to rescind the earlier closure vote was made during the meeting.
The meeting adjourned following public comment.
