Parents, students, and community members are voicing concerns about potential school closures in Warren County.
The public hearing on October 2nd at Warren Area High School focused on the Warren County School District's difficult decision regarding potential school closures.
More than thirty concerned individuals, including parents, students, and local business owners from Sheffield and Youngsville, spoke out during the hearing.
Superintendent Gary Weber opened the session by explaining the financial challenges that have led the board to consider closing the schools, including inequitable tax burdens.
“Nobody wants to take away community schools—that’s not a priority for us,” Weber stated. “This is really about academics and giving students more course offerings, so all kids will have the opportunity to get the courses they need. At the same time, it resolves some of the financial situations we are in.”
Local business owners also expressed concerns, particularly how school closures could impact their businesses, as many rely on students for after-school employment. With longer commute times potentially deterring students from working, they fear a reduction in their workforce.
However, Mayor David Wortman drew much of the crowd's attention with his remarks, citing poor financial decisions made by the district over the years. “Academics and quality of education have to be the number one priority,” Wortman said. “Unfortunately, Warren County School District’s debt-to-income ratio is north of 75%, and it is not sustainable.” Wortman also highlighted the strain the district’s debt places on residents with fixed incomes.
Despite the concerns, Superintendent Weber reassured attendees that no decision has been made. He emphasized that the board is still gathering information and welcomes public feedback.
The school board plans to continue accepting public comments for several weeks, with a final decision expected in early 2024. As the conversation continues, community members are encouraged to stay engaged and share their perspectives on the future of the district.