A bus sits in front of Loyalsock Valley Elementary Tuesday morning. DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

After years of consideration, many discussions and debate, the Montoursville Area School Board approved closing Loyalsock Valley Elementary School at its recent meeting.

Several people among the two-dozen people in attendance made it known how they felt about shutting down the rural school in two years to leave the district with one elementary school.

The vote was 6-2 to close Loyalsock Valley in the fall of 2027 and to consolidate with Lyter Elementary.

Voting in favor were Daniel Albert, Todd Badger, Brad Eisenhower, Doug Gardner, David Young, and John Houseknecht.

Brenda Oberheim and Tina McCloy voted no.

Sharon Meyer was absent.

Angela Miller questioned why renovations and upgrades were made to other school buildings, but Loyalsock Valley was ignored.

“Because it’s not in town?” she asked.

“You knew a long time ago that Loyalsock Valley needed help. Congratulations for being idiots.”

Ron Snell said he was “very disappointed” with district administration, especially Superintendent Dan Taormina.

“Somebody who should have been neutral was not neutral,” he said.

Snell added that closing the school will not be in the best of students.

Paul Rinker, 1102 Chestnut Street, told the board businesses do not want to locate in communities where school closings take place.

“You aren’t helping anyone except an architectural firm and a bunch of contractors to shrink the school district,” he said.

Following the meeting, Taormina said closing the school came down to survival of the district and better education for students.

He noted that emotions ran high over the issue.

SiteLogIQ, a consulting firm hired by the district, revealed in its study last year that costs to renovate both Loyalsock Valley and Lyter Elementary School would prove too costly for the district.

The study concluded that it would be best for the district to close Loyalsock Valley keep Lyter open for all elementary students.

In personnel matters, the board approved the resignation of Hannah Ostrander, science teacher, effective June 30.

Janelle Magill, Robert Lierse, and Laura Gatch were approved as guest teachers and Kellie Karschner as a substitute nurse.

The board approved the following for coaching positions: Ashley Hess, assistant cheerleading, $4,000 stipend; Kevin Williams, track & field volunteer; and Keith Cavanaugh, football volunteer.

In other matters, the board approved:

• The Lycoming Career and Technology Center 2025-2026 operating budget.

• Renewal of a one-year contract with The Nutrition Group.

• An agreement with Bayada Home Health Care, Inc.

• A grant writing and advocacy proposal with SiteLogIQ.