Pocono News Section

Danville Re-Structuring Plan Causes Controversy

Danville Re-Structuring Plan Causes Controversy - Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 5:41PM EST

Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Wednesday, May 28, 2008 @ 05:41pm EST
Danville, Montour County-

Controversy in one part of Montour County as a local school district considers reversing its re-structuring plan. The Danville Area School Board voted 5-4 to renovate three elementary schools rather than consolidate into one building.

Some residents like the plan, while others say it's just too expensive.

The newly approved plan would keep Riverside, Mahoning-Cooper, and Danville Elementary open for business.

Montour County Treasurer Kim Schooley, a certified public accountant, estimates that could cost some $35-$40 million, roughly a $200 tax increase per year, and a figure that taxpayers in the district may find hard to swallow.

He says a different plan to consolidate all three schools would land in the $28 million range, and save the district millions more over the long term by operating one facility rather than three. Add in needed repairs at the middle and high schools, and Schooley says the district could be wasting as much as $60 million over the next 30 years.

But he says his arguments fell on deaf ears. Schooley explained, "For $63 million, these people didn't want to hear it...They didn't even give any credence whatsoever to the numbers. They never cared."

It's money Schooley says could be put to much better use through consolidation. He added, "The bottom line is if they do it the other way, they're going to have $63 million to put into our kids' education over the next 30 years."

But not everyone agrees that money is the bottom line.

Linda Tessarvich attended Danville Elementary. Now her kids go to school there.

"The smaller schools have always been a big part of Danville, and I think always will be. And it's the close personal relationship of the neighborhood to the schools that I think is very important,” Tessarvich said.

She added, “If you build a big consolidated elementary school, you're going to have to bus everybody. Right now the people here in Danville mostly walk to school. With the rising gas prices, there's one thing that's definitely a benefit."

No one seems to know for certain if this latest plan will be the final answer. Schooley noted, "Unless the public shows up in force at the next meeting to sit there and say, 'Why are you raising my taxes?' -which they've already said they're going to do- it's a done deal."

School district officials did not return multiple calls for comment today. The next Danville Area School Board meeting will be held June 10th at 7pm in the high school cafeteria.