The Ligonier Valley School Board Monday released its much-anticipated analysis of the financial and educational impact that consolidating Laurel Valley and Ligonier schools would have on the rural school district.
Now school directors face a decision whether to implement a controversial consultant's report by Warner Concepts LLC that has divided the district, a decision that could face a referendum of sorts in the Nov. 3 election.
Directors Kevin McLaughlin, Todd Martin and Kevin Pahach, who all oppose consolidation, are running for re-election.
School directors presented their analyses to a smaller-than-expected crowd at Ligonier Valley High School.
The Ligonier Valley School District is faced with declining student enrollment and increased costs as taxpayers continue to fund two separate middle and high schools and athletic programs while underutilizing some of the districts school buildings.
The findings will be posted today on the school district's Web site.
Director John Maier said the options he studied "all recommend some form of consolidation in the Ligonier Valley School District."
Maier said there would be a "substantial amount of savings to the school district each year" by shifting Laurel Valley middle and high school students to Ligonier Valley middle and high schools.
In the 1970-71 school year, there were 3,920 students in the district. Current enrollment is 1,868, he said.
"Obviously, we've had a significant decline," Maier continued. "We've lost 2,000 students in that time."
He said there are more than 20 classes at Laurel Valley that have fewer than 10 students in them.
Maier conceded there are a number of disadvantages to consolidation such as an increased level of anxiety among parents and students, altered sleeping patterns, larger classes and less individual attention from teachers, and the possibility that some parents would seek alternative schools for their children and withdraw them from the district.
But the advantages would be improved educational opportunities for students such as more Advanced Placement and college-level courses, increased classroom competitiveness, improved special needs programs,and the future potential of distance learning.
Maier also said taxpayers wouldn't have to pay for separate athletic programs.
"There would be football team, one basketball team, one volleyball team, etc," he said.
A major sore spot among some parents is transportation.
Pahach said school buses travel 5,000 miles a day in a district that encompasses 230 square miles.
"To say we have some unique problems is an understatement," he said.
Pahach said 30 minutes will have to be added to trips for Laurel Valley students traveling to and returning from schools in Ligonier. He said the longest bus trip in the district takes 57 minutes, which will increase to an hour and 27 minutes under the consolidation plans. The shortest route is 45 minutes, which will increase to 75 minutes.
He said the district will have to add buses to the fleet, which will cost taxpayers an additional $50,000 a year per bus, according to his calculations.
Pahach recommended scrapping the Warner study and keeping things as they are.
"It would bring peace the valley," he said. "It's the wisest and only sensible decision."
Director Bruce Robinson said the financial savings to taxpayers will be $1.2 million a year, including $875,000 in salaries and health care costs. Over the next decade, he projected savings of nearly $14 million.
"I wouldn't be surprised if our savings were greater than this," Robinson said.
McLaughlin, who opposes consolidation, challenged Robinson's analysis and wondered how many employees will have to be laid off because of consolidation.
"How many staff will you have to furlough?" McLaughlin asked. "Don't throw out a number out there that we're saving a lot of money."
Not everyone in the audience was buying the analyses.
"It's not about building capacity, it's about class size and education," said Kim Thomas of Ligonier. "To make classes larger than they already are is irresponsible."
"We are millions and millions and millions of dollars in debt," said Mary Conrad of St. Clair. "And some of the board members expect these buildings to sit empty is unacceptable.
"If Laurel Valley closes, property taxes will drop and the board will be forced to raise taxes. My taxes will go up, my neighbors' taxes will go up, but not like Ligonier's taxes," Conrad said.
"The (board members') studies do not mention any of the costs of "creating a new identity," said Mark Howard of St. Clair.
Rita Horrell of Darlington said if the school district doesn't act now, it will be forced to act in the future.
"If we wait the 10 years that people are talking about, we're just "putting off the inevitable," she said. "We might as well do this now. We're just need to get it going."
