Last year the Jersey Shore Elementary staff wanted equal classroom sizes. The district distributed students from Jersey Shore Elementary to Salladasburg and Avis elementary schools. I remember the statement: “We will move forward.”

For one year, this moving satisfied the Jersey Shore Elementary staff, for equal classroom size.

We have new board members and a few are pulling the reins to close Salladasburg Elementary School in a secretive, sneaky manner. An article in July 24’s Sun-Gazette tells the public a hearing is scheduled for Aug. 5 was not on the board meeting agenda. This was scheduled before school starts Aug. 22 when families may be away on vacation or visiting family. It sounds to me it was planned this way so perhaps the public would not be present for this very important hearing. The public has a right to voice our opinions if we are informed in advance.

I believe when a hearing on whether to close Nippenose Elementary was held, it was done in a manner where the public was not informed. That seems to be the procedure now for this hearing for Salladasburg Elementary on Aug. 5 at 6 p.m. at the high school.

In closing Nippenose Elementary, lots of money was spent to build an addition to Jersey Shore Elementary, to accomodate all those students. They packed Jersey Shore Elementary then. Now Salladasburg has 217 students enrolled and wants to pack Jersey Shore Elementary again. How can teachers be furloughed to lose their teaching positions after getting their degree to be a teacher? How can graduates have a motivation to be a teacher when their jobs could be taken from them in the right given time in their careers? This makes no common sense to close Salladasburg Elementary and then need to build a new school or more additions.

One year ago Jersey Shore Elementary was distributing students to have equal class sizes. Now, this year he board wants to pack Jersey Shore Elementary again to make stress upon the staff of overcrowded classrooms.

The vision of Salladasburg Elementary years ago was perfect for our community of Salladasburg.

The taxpayers will not be wanting more additions to Jersey Shore Elementary or a new school built. I would hope the hearing Aug. 5 will be packed at the high school and many will participate in voicing their disgust of this closing Salladasburg Elementary.

BEATRICE M. HALL

Mifflin Township

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