Plan calls district-wide reorganization

That's how York City School District Supt. Sharon Miller described conditions that caused recommendations to realign grade locations, change school boundaries and close an elementary school.

Miller and other district officials led a town hall meeting at Phineas Davis Elementary School in Spring Garden Township Monday to present a district-wide renovation and reorganization plan.

Roughly 50 parents, district residents and teachers listened to the proposal aimed at bolstering education and saving taxpayer dollars.

"This is not just about renovating our buildings," Miller said adding that a plan is needed, which might include the closing of Davis Elementary.

The plan looked at the best use of the district's facilities and how much money would be needed to bring some schools up to code, she said.

Student population at Jacob L. Devers and Alexander D. Goode elementary schools is "beyond capacity," Miller said.

Under the plan, district boundaries would be changed and some students from those schools would be moved to the newly renovated Ferguson Elementary, and McKinley and Jackson elementary schools would be renovated.

Meanwhile, enrollment at the district's middle schools "has dropped drastically" over the last few years due to competition from charter schools, she said.

Brandon Hufnagel, assistant to the superintendent for elementary education, said recommendations for realignment include moving fifth grade students to the middle

"We need more space at the elementary schools," he said. "We have space at the middle schools."

Brad Harman, director of buildings and grounds for the district, said Davis Elementary is in "dire need" of repairs to the roof and other areas.

The district would have to spend more than $5 million just to bring the building up to code and classroom standards, he said.

The district would also save money in staff reduction and operating expenses if Davis were shut down, he said.

Many parents asked about transportation if students are required to change buildings.

Others asked for details regarding staff members that could lose jobs in the changes.

"We don't have all the answers," Miller said. "We need to move on this plan."

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