PA Secretary to rule on Rosslyn Farms petition to secede

Two Rosslyn Farms residents who have been instrumental in a drive to get the town out of the Carlynton School District say they are buoyed by a Common Pleas Court decision last week to move the issue to the state Secretary of Education.

David Jones, who helped circulate a petition among residents of Rosslyn Farms, said "people are very excited.

"There's a sense of community around this. Not everybody, obviously, but there's a strong sense of community around this. There's a lot of folks who want to see this move forward."

Last month, an attorney representing 291 residents who signed the petition filed it in Allegheny County Court, seeking to have the town join the Chartiers Valley School District, which incorporates Bridgeville and Heidelberg boroughs, and Collier and Scott township. Besides Rosslyn Farms, Carlynton includes Carnegie and Crafton boroughs.

The petition states Rosslyn Farms' transfer to Chartiers Valley would be in the best interest of borough children because Chartiers Valley offers "a superior curriculum with a wide variety of academic courses," with "a diverse array of extracurricular programs," and can accommodate additional students.

Last week, Judge David Wecht supported the petition after hearing arguments concerning whether Rosslyn Farms touched Scott, as required by law to be included in Chartiers Valley. The towns border each other for about 400 feet but are separated by Chartiers Creek.

Carlynton contended that the creek separated the towns, but Wecht disagreed.

"If water boundaries do not matter in creating legislative districts, it can be argued that they do not matter in school districts either," he wrote.

Jones said the secession effort began two years ago, before Carlynton officials proposed building a new elementary school and closing schools in Carnegie and Crafton. The board in April put the elementary proposal on hold.

"We felt we either be proactive or we run the risk of having the district 'redistricted' by the state," Jones said.

Added Rosslyn Farms resident William Sargent, who is also behind the petition: "The bottom line is this is really not about the education of my children and my neighbor's children, it's the future children in the neighborhood as well."

Sargent and Jones have children who attend schools other than Carlynton's.

Chartiers Valley Superintendent Brian White released a statement that said, "We hope that through this process and in whatever decision is eventually reached, that the Secretary of Education considers every potential impact to all the communities involved."

Chartiers Valley's enrollment is 2,400 students in grades kindergarten through 12. About 70 live in Rosslyn Farms, although some attend parochial schools.

Carlynton officials could not be reached for comment this week, but solicitor Ira Weiss said after the ruling that it disappointed him.

"The school district intends to present arguments that it should remain as constituted, and we look forward to that opportunity."

Carlynton can appeal the decision but if it doesn't, state Secretary of Education Ronald Tomalis will rule on the petition. If approved, Chartiers Valley boundaries would be redrawn to include Rosslyn Farms. The state Board of Education would have to approve the new boundaries.

"Ultimately, I think we're going to be successful. When the Secretary of Education sees our educational impact assessment, it really is a no-brainer if you follow the law.

"This is going to happen," Sargent said.