Schools

Plan to Move Students From Richland Elementary to Hance Put on Hold

School board members say more information is needed.

Parents of students at Richland Elementary let the school board know Monday that they do not want their children transferred to Hance Elementary.

Pine-Richland School District's administration had proposed shifting part of Richland Elementary's student body to Hance Elementary, a few miles away.

Dr. Laura Davis, director of staff development, explained that Richland Elementary's school population keeps growing, while Hance's is declining. Switching students from 65 to 75 families to Hance would ultimately result in a more "equitable distribution of resources" and smaller class sizes, she said.

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After hearing parents talk about the emotional impact such a move would have on their children, school board members said they thought they needed more information before making a decision.

Part of the discussion dealt with the number of housing units that are under construction or in the planning stages in Pine and Richland townships. Because of the economic downturn, progress on some of those housing plans stopped.

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Dr. Jeffrey Banyas, who chaired the operational services committee meeting, noted the proposed change is "obviously of great concern to the community." 

Superintendent Dr. Mary Bucci said she did not "think there is time to take action for fall." Registration for kindergarten starts in just a few weeks, she noted.

To hear the parents tell the story, Richland Elementary has a warm, comfortable, family feel with a principal -- Dr. Guy Rossi -- the kids adore.

Uprooting students from the K-3 primary school in Richland Township and moving them to nearby Hance would have an emotional impact on the children, parents said.

Three primary schools serve the K-3 population in Pine Richland School District -- Richland, Hance and Wexford. 

"The good news is every building is beautiful and every principal (is) charming," Davis said.

She noted the trend of Richland getting more students while Hance's population declines. 

"No building is at capacity. There is no crisis whatsoever," said Davis.

Bucci said the administration also was taking into consideration transportation needs regarding safety and efficiency.

"It's about wise use of our resources," said Bucci.

Currently, some housing plans are split, with students in the same development attending different primary schools.

"The reason Richland is getting overcrowded is everyone gets dumped there," said parent Holly Johnston. She suggested that families moving into new housing plans should be sent to Hance while those who already have roots at Richland Elementary should stay there.

None of the speakers at Monday's meeting criticized Hance; they simply stated they wanted their children to stay at Richland and not have to go through the adjustment of having to move.


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