Neshaminy Charter School Application Approved

Parents and striking Neshaminy School District teachers were among those who packed into Maple Point Middle School in Langhorne to listen to the Neshaminy School Board's meeting Tuesday.

The big issue of the night was the voting on whether or not Neshaminy would approve the charter school application.

Off to a delayed start, the meeting was a semi-hostile one between the striking teachers and parents.

At one point during public comment, a resident discussed his concerns with teachers offending him during a previous meeting and expressed his thoughts on what teachers should do.

Not approving of his comments, striking teachers made it noticeable by booing and chanting "Negotiate" during his time at the stand.

There were four issues to be discussed, but the revised 2011-2012 budget was tabled until August due to an advertising issue.

When the time came to vote on the charter school application, the Board Secretary Jennifer Burns started the roll call and it was passed 7-1, with board member William O’Connor the only one to say no.

After the motion was passed, there was commotion from the back of the auditorium as the strikers left the room at 7:44 p.m.

Ken Kilpatrick, the representative for the School Lane Charter School at the meeting, had a prepared statement if the application was approved.

"The School Lane Charter School Board of Trustees and administrators are pleased with the Neshaminy School Board’s approval of School Lane Charter-Neshaminy. We thank the Neshaminy School Board, the administration, and most of all, the many families seeking public school choice who have been patient throughout this long process."

To find updates on this issues visit www.schoollane.org or their Facebook page.