All three possibilities presented for New Kensington-Arnold School District consolidation include closing schools and housing seventh through 12th graders at one complex.

The proposals are intended as a way for the district to cut costs.

Seventh- and eighth-graders would attend a self-contained middle school and ninth- through 12th-graders would attend class in the high school.

School Superintendent George Batterson presented the options to nearly 150 community members Thursday evening in what became a heated meeting. The ideas for school consolidation come after the school board told Batterson he needed to find ways to trim the budget.

Each option includes, to some extent, combining all students in a particular grade level in one building. The rationale is to increase dialogue among teachers and to help with class sizes, although there would be some staff furloughs, Batterson said.

The first option is the most expensive, but it generates high, long-term savings, Batterson said.

Currently, the district has six schools — Valley High School; Valley Middle School; H.D. Berkey, an intermediate elementary; and three lower elementary schools — Fort Crawford, Greenwald and Martin.

Batterson emphasized that the options presented are not the only ones and that community members are welcome to present ideas. School board President Bob Pallone stressed that no decisions have been made.

Officials wouldn't defend any option, but Pallone said consolidation "would be a last resort for me."

During the past six budgets, expenses such as salaries, benefits, retirement and cyber-schooling have ballooned, but revenues couldn't keep up.

Revenue has increased by about $1.4 million since the 2006-07 budget; expenses have increased by $15 million in the same time period.

The cost per student has increased nearly $3,000 since 2006-07.

To put it simply: Education is getting more expensive, while local revenues are stagnant and state and federal revenues are decreasing.

Batterson proposed a 21-person Citizens Advisory Committee, including teachers, school board members and community representatives, that would study the options and make a recommendation to the school board by May 12.

The committee would hold a number of public meetings before it makes a recommendation.

If the aggressive time line is met, changes could be in effect by September. But changes could take until September 2012 -- or consolidation might not happen at all, Batterson said.

The board meets Jan. 27 to decide whether to have a consolidation committee study the issue.

Pallone said he needs to see a cost-benefit analysis.

"Before I do a whole upheaval to the community," Pallone said, "it better have a whole hell of a lot of savings."

Plus, Pallone and Director Bev Meyer want to see cuts in the current budget. Meyer claims the district is over-staffed.

Some of the public comment was heated, much of it focusing on housing seventh- through 12th-graders in one building.

Some called the ideas "preposterous."

"I am so sorry that someone has you riled up enough to think we're going to do this," Meyer said.

Meyer, who was one of the most vocal in requesting ways to cut costs, told those in attendance to remember the ideas discussed are just that — ideas.

"If we chose one of those options tonight," Meyer said, "I would duck."

Alfred Dilliott of Arnold said he went through schooling in buildings that were kindergarten through sixth and seventh through 12th.

"Why does everybody think that their seventh- and eighth-graders are going to get mugged by seniors?" he said.

Along with consolidating schools and reducing staff, other options to pare down the deficit include seeking grants and meeting with state representatives in order to get more state funding.

Additional Information:

Option 1

Here's a look at how existing buildings could be reconfigured and where students would attend class:

• Pre-Kindergarten through fourth grade: elementary school

• Fifth and sixth grade: intermediate school

• Seventh through 12th grade complex containing seventh and eighth grade in one section and ninth through 12th grades in the other

• Alternative education facility and some administrative offices located in one primary school

• Result: Closing and sale of two primary schools

• Total cost: $540,000

Additional Information:

Option 2

• Pre-Kindergarten through first grade: early childhood center with alternative education and administrative offices

• Second, third and fourth grade: elementary school (in current middle school)

• Fifth and sixth grade: intermediate school (Berkey)

• Seventh through 12th grade complex containing seventh and eighth grade in one section and ninth through 12th grades in the other

• Result: Closing and sale of two primary schools

• Total cost: $90,000

Additional Information:

Option 3

• Pre-Kindergarten through third grade: in three buildings as presently configured

• Fourth, fifth and sixth grades with alternative education: intermediate school (in current middle school)

• Seventh through 12th grade complex containing seventh and eighth grade in one section and ninth through 12th grades in the other

• Result: Closing of Berkey Intermediate School

• Total cost: $50,000

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