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Albert Gallatin Area School Board splits 4-5 on advertising public hearings for elementary school closures
Summary
After public comments against closures, the Albert Gallatin Area School Board voted 4-5 against a motion to authorize advertising public hearings to close one or more elementary schools. The board heard a superintendent presentation on budget and consolidation options and held an executive session on student confidentiality and safety.
At a special meeting in the D. Ferd Swaney cafeteria on Feb. 26, the Albert Gallatin Area School Board voted 4-5 against a motion to authorize advertising public hearings to close one or more elementary schools.
The vote followed public comments urging the board not to close schools and a presentation by Superintendent Christopher Pegg reviewing the district budget and several consolidation options displayed on PowerPoint slides. The board held an executive session earlier in the meeting to discuss student confidentiality and school safety.
Why it matters: Advertising public hearings is a formal step that would begin the public process for closure decisions. With the motion defeated, the board did not grant staff permission at this meeting to begin that formal process, leaving the district’s consolidation timeline uncertain.
Public comment and concerns Jillian Orr, a public commenter, addressed the board about proposed elementary school closures and raised concerns that closing Smithfield and Friendship Hill elementary schools would harm the core foundation of students’ education. Rae Seiler, also a public commenter, questioned the district’s financial transparency and warned of negative impacts from consolidation.
Presentation and board discussion Superintendent Christopher Pegg reviewed the budget and described multiple consolidation scenarios and an associated timeline; the options were displayed to the public on PowerPoint slides. Board members then discussed the options and the district’s fiscal position. The record shows differing views among board members about whether to proceed toward public hearings.
The decisive vote David Howard moved and Paul Dunham seconded a motion to grant permission to advertise public hearing(s) to close a school or schools. Four board members voted in favor: David Howard, Ryan Porupski, Carl Planiczka and Paul Dunham. Five members voted against: Dan Janesko, Betty Moser, Eric Miller, Ryan Robinson and President Jeff Myers. The motion failed 4-5, and no authorization to advertise hearings was adopted.
Other formal actions Earlier the board voted unanimously to enter an executive session at 6:02 p.m. to discuss student confidentiality and school safety; Treasurer Ryan Porupski moved, Paul Dunham seconded, and all members present voted in favor. The board resumed the special meeting at 6:19 p.m. by a unanimous vote. The agenda was adopted earlier in the meeting by unanimous consent.
Next steps Because the board did not approve advertising public hearings, the district has not advanced the formal public-notice step for closing schools. The board’s next regular meeting is scheduled for March 18, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. at the D. Ferd Swaney cafeteria.
