Citing declining enrollment, the joint operating committee of A.W. Beattie Career Center in McCandless on Thursday voted to end the school's academic program, effective for next school year.
"It's a wonderful program, but it's not fitting the academic needs of our sending districts," said Richard Herko, board president.
The decision does not affect the school's career, technical and Mandarin programs, but Beattie no longer will provide instruction for high school students in English, mathematics, health/physical education, science and social studies.
"This means students who need more attention or smaller class sizes will have to find somewhere else to go," said Scott Scariot, social studies teacher and president of the A.W. Beattie Education Association.
Nine districts send students to the school: Pine-Richland, Northgate, Avonworth, Deer Lakes, Fox Chapel, Hampton, North Allegheny, North Hills and Shaler. Enrollment in the academic program dropped over the past five years, from about 60 students to 33 this year, Scariot said.
Seventeen students enrolled to come back next year, Herko said.
Fox Chapel and Hampton stopped sending students to the academic program a few years ago, but their students attended the technical program, Herko said.
Arlene Bender, committee member representative from North Hills School District, said in this school year, districts paid about $9,000 for each student who participated in Beattie's programs. The center budgeted $327,000 for the academic program this year, she said.
Bender opposed the decision to close the program, calling it "irreplaceable."
"It is truly an excellent program that truly concentrated on the needs of the students who attend," she said.
Herko said the center has changed its class offerings several times.
"We're continually searching for the right blend of programs that fit the needs of the community," he said. "The needs of the community have changed."
Eric Heasley, A.W. Beattie executive director, said the academic program dated to 1979.
Board members explored options to increase program enrollment and invited other districts to participate, but none expressed interest, Herko said.
Five affected teachers will finish this school year. The Pennsylvania State Education Association and the local union will try to secure them jobs for next school year, Scariot said.
