The debate continues in Ligonier Valley School District over the possible closing of Laurel Valley Middle/High School, with some parents promising they will put their children in cyber school if that happens.
Board President Bruce Robinson released a report that concludes the district could cut as many as nine teachers, or $875,000 in wages, salaries and benefits, with the closing.
Director Kevin McLaughlin questioned the $1.2 million annual savings outlined in Robinson's report, released at Monday's school board meeting.
He said the cost of losing the state subsidy for closing the recently renovated school, renovating Ligonier Valley schools and additional busing were not calculated in the savings. "This board has sold the community, in my opinion, a bill of goods," McLaughlin said. "We're going to see which one was right, and we're going to pay for it."
Parents are concerned about children riding a bus from as far north as Seward to Ligonier. Others said the transition could create stress for students.
"I was just wondering if anybody took into consideration how many people you're going to lose in this district to cyber school if you really go through with the merger like you're going to," said New Florence resident Tess Altimus.
Altimus said there are more than 250 signatures on petitions being circulated, signed by parents pledging to enroll their students in cyber school if consolidation occurs in the district, which has 1,905 students.
In another matter, students asked the board to examine cafeteria offerings.
Laurel Valley High School student David Marsh said he has to use his own money to buy enough school lunches to quell his hunger. Although his family qualifies for the reduced- or free-lunch program, one lunch isn't enough, he said.
"I get one sandwich, and I'm not satisfied at all," he told the board. "I'm sorry, I can't afford it anymore."
Several students complained about the lunches. This year, the district contracted with West Newton-based Nutrition Inc. Its offerings coincide with the district's wellness policy and "pretty stringent requirements" for portion sizes, Superintendent Christine Oldham said.
Josh Brown, another Laurel Valley High student, said the same food is offered every day and by the later lunch breaks, many choices are sold out.
The board voted to pay an $80,000 bill to Nutrition Inc. McLaughlin voted against that resolution, citing complaints he's heard.
At the end of the year, the board will decide whether to renew the contract. Nutrition Inc. officials did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday.
Larger text
Smaller text
Print
E-mail
