Meeting Monday At Wrightstown Elementary To Discuss Possible Closure

WRIGHTSTOWN, PA — Are you worried about the possible closure of Wrightstown Elementary? Then mark your calendar for Monday, June 5. The district is holding a meeting at the school to gather feedback on four capital planning options, one of which includes the closure of the township's only school.

The meeting begins at 7 p.m.

Superintendent Robert Fraser outlined the four scenarios for the future of the district's elementary school makeup during a May meeting of the district's Capital Planning Committee.

Monday's community forum will be an opportunity for Wrightstown residents to provide feedback on those options.

Community forums are also scheduled at Richboro Elementary on June 6 and Rolling Hills Elementary on June 7. Those meetings also start at 7 p.m.

A final meeting of the Master Capital Planning Committee is scheduled for June 12 at the Chancellor Center. Following that, the issue will be going to the school board for consideration.

The four options under consideration are: (The full presentation can be viewed here.)

Scenario 1: All 10 elementary schools would remain open

• Under this scenario, the North/South balance is "less than ideal" but busing would remain stable. Existing communities would remain in tact. Between $30 and $32 million in renovation costs needed.

Scenario 2: Close Wrightstown Elementary

• Under this scenario, a 10-classroom addition would be built on Hillcrest Elementary at a cost of $6.8 million. Bus ride times would increase. There would be a $625K annual operating cost savings.

Scenario 3: Close Rolling Hills Elementary

• Under this scenario, a 10-room addition would be required at Richboro Elementary School and a five-room addition at Wrightstown. There would be a $710K annual operating cost savings. Nearly 200 more students would need to be bused, resulting in four more buses.

Scenario 4: Close both Rolling Hills Elementary and Wrightstown and build new school on Howe's Tract

• Under this scenario a $35 million, 22-room school would be built on the Howe's Tract. Implementation would not occur until the 2012-22 school year, resulting in redistricting twice.