Council Rock School Board Likely To Decide On Possible School Closures Thursday

A consensus was not reached on the potential closure of a Council Rock elementary school during a Monday meeting of the district's Master Capital Planning Committee. The discussion on potential school closures will continue Thursday at the Council Rock school board meeting, which starts at 7 p.m. at the Chancellor Center.

Monday was the final meeting of the district's Master Capital Planning Committee, which has been tasked with determining if Wrightstown Elementary, Rolling Hills Elementary or neither should be closed.

Andy Block, chairman of the Master Capital Planning Committee, has said he hopes that the board can reach a consensus this week. "If indeed it is the board's direction to close a school, there could be a hearing in July with a formal vote to follow three months later," Block explained.

During the meeting Monday, three board members indicated they would prefer closing Rolling Hills Elementary, located in Northampton Township. However, a full consensus on which of the four options is preferable was not reached.

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.