York Suburban administrators propose interim realignment: third-grade academy at Indian Rock, grades 4–5 at East York

York Suburban School District administrators on Feb. 2 laid out a plan to realign grades 3–5 for the 2026–27 school year while a planned consolidated intermediate school remains delayed by a township legal appeal.

Superintendent Doctor Krausser told the board the district ‘‘cannot and will not allow delay to limit the support, resources, and opportunities our students need today,’’ and urged trustees to consider an interim configuration that places all third‑grade students at Indian Rock and consolidates fourth‑ and fifth‑grade students at East York.

Administrators said the reconfiguration would promote ‘‘collective teacher efficacy’’ by placing grade‑level teachers under one roof, improving daily collaboration and consistency of instruction. The presentation named operational benefits including streamlined related‑arts scheduling, fewer duplicated planning tasks and targeted use of reading and math specialists.

‘‘By eliminating the midday travel for our staff, we calculate that we will recapture 145 hours of instructional time per year,’’ a presenter said, describing one measurable efficiency the district expects to achieve without adding staff. Presenters emphasized the proposal is budget neutral, repurposing an existing teaching position to create a teacher‑leader role at Indian Rock.

Administrators also described special‑education arrangements: a dedicated learning‑support teacher per intermediate grade level, an intensive learning‑support classroom to be housed at Indian Rock and autistic/emotional support hubs at East York. Officials said those placements would let specialists be co‑located with the students who need them most while reducing travel time for therapists and service providers.

Board members pressed several implementation details. Missus Turner noted the math coach had been a temporary reallocation and asked whether keeping that role would force the district to hire additional classroom teachers to maintain class‑size guidelines; administrators acknowledged some class sizes are above guidelines now and said they would watch staffing needs closely. Trustees also asked about building mechanical and plumbing issues at Indian Rock; administrators responded that facilities investments and repairs are ongoing and that work is prioritized to avoid disruptions to learning.

On timeline, administrators requested a board action on Feb. 23 and said staff would notify employees and families immediately after approval. They said a brief Department of Education application would be submitted in March, staff assignments would be refined in April, packing and building preparations would occur in May–June, and the new configuration would begin in August if approved.

The proposal, administration said, is an interim measure intended to deliver many of the instructional and staffing advantages of the original consolidated plan without waiting for the outcome of the township appeal.

The board will consider the administration’s request at its Feb. 23 meeting. If approved, staff said they would begin structured outreach to teachers and families the next day.