Grandview Estates Unmoved in Elementary Schools' Rightsizing

Grandview Estates primary students will not be changing schools after all, now that the Pine-Richland School Board has adopted a "rightsizing" plan.

In a 7-1 vote, the school board adopted a plan Monday night that does the following starting in the 2012-13 academic year:

• Moves students on Logan Road in Pine Township from Wexford to Richland Elementary.
• Moves Richland Highlands students from Richland to Hance Elementary;
• Moves Rabold Fields students from Richland to Wexford Elementary;
• Moves students living north of Route 910 from Richland to Hance Elementary.

Voting in favor were Directors Stephen Hawbaker, chairman; Dennis Sundo, treasurer; Richard Herko; Laura Ohlund; Ginny Goebel; Kevin Nigh and Peter Lyons.

Director Dr. Jeffrey Banyas voted against and Director Therese Dawson was absent.

 is redistricting its three primary schools that currently serve more than 1,200 students in kindergarten through third grade because of an imbalance in enrollments, that in turn creates stress on the deployment of staff.

Currently,  has 328 students,  is at 507, and Wexford has 418 enrolled.

Under the newly adopted plan, Hance will have 404 students; Richland will serve 418 and Wexford will enroll 431, according to Ryan Manzer, assistant finance director.

Those numbers assume that third graders will be replaced one-on-one by kindergartners, he added.

"Grandfathering" will allow students to continue attending their current school, as long as their parents provide transportation.

For areas affected by the redistricting, the directors also agreed not to redistrict them again within the next five years, even though Solicitor Patrick Clair advised them that the policy was not legally enforceable.

The school district's administration recommended a plan that would have moved Grandview Estates students from Richland to Hance Elementary. A number of Grandview parents had opposed that plan.

"Our recommended plan is based on Plan 3A, with the modification to leave Pine Ridge Manor students enrolled at Wexford Elementary," the administration recommended in its written proposal, which is posted on the district's website.

"This plan will adjust the northeast Hance boundary to include the Grandview housing plan and surrounding areas, while also adjusting the western boundary of Richland to include all of Logan Road," the proposal stated.

"In addition, Richland Highlands will be included in the Hance attendance area and Rabold Fields will be included in the Wexford area. About 100 students will be impacted by this plan," according to the administration's recommendation.

At Monday's meeting the school board spent nearly an hour discussing modifications to the plans to come up with the final hybrid.

Directors made motions, then amended them and amended the amendments to finally pass the rightsizing plan.

"I'm not even sure I understand it," quipped Superintendent Dr. Mary Bucci once the final votes were cast.

Update: The school district sent a letter to the community Tuesday afternoon, explaining details of the rightsizing. Click here to read what is posted on the district's website.