Hempfield Area School District parents told school officials this week they are concerned about the potential for larger class sizes as a result of the district’s proposed middle school consolidation.

More than 20 parents and guardians attended a meeting this week at Harrold Middle School detailing plans that would permanently consolidate sixth, seventh and eighth grade students into Wendover and West Hempfield middle schools, and temporarily move ninth grade students to Harrold while the high school undergoes a major renovation.

Concerns largely focused on how enrollments and student-teacher ratios would change, and how Harrold students would be moved into the two school buildings.

“A lot of this has been about money. Not a lot of it has been about educational quality,” Erin Johns Speesesaid of the presentation. “I’m concerned that the way you’re going to meet the ratios is, you’re going to pack people in the classroom, and education is going to decline. That’s what happens in these situations, so I’m very concerned about this.”

The district is following recommendations from a feasibility study to improve efficiency in the district and respond to declining enrollment numbers, according to Matthew Conner, assistant superintendent of secondary education.

The study examined each of the district’s buildings, looking at electrical, mechanical and architectural areas. It also included projected enrollments for the next several school years.

Based on those estimates, Wendover and West Hempfield are able to house all middle school students and staff while having space for possible growth, the board said.

According to Superintendent Tammy Wolicki, that is largely possible because of enrollment declines over the past few decades. She noted that in 1993-94, enrollments were close to 7,400 students. Today, there are 5,300 students. In that time, two elementary schools — Bovard and East Hempfield — were shuttered.

But several new housing developments in Hempfield have others concerned there may be an increase in enrollment.

District leaders noted that if they do see an influx of students, they are able to add classrooms to both middle school buildings.

“We do know that there are developments possibly on the horizon. … We’ll keep an eye on that,” Conner said. “This is still accounting for the possibility of developments.”

Officials stressed that their goal is the have the student-teacher ratio remain at one teacher per 25 students for middle school core classes, which include English, math, science and social studies, Wolicki said. She noted that Harrold teachers will be reassigned to both buildings. Enrollments in special classes vary.

Conner said other perks of a consolidation include more consistent instruction for students, as well as better collaboration among staff. Wendover and West Hempfield middle schools were remodeled more recently than Harrold. Wendover was renovated in 2013, West Hempfield in 2002.

Classes for special education would be provided at both middle schools. Currently, those services are offered only at Harrold.

District leaders have not finalized how Harrold students would be divided between Wendover and West Hempfield.

“We have not finalized the division, but I do want to share with you there’s much thought and consideration that goes into that determination,” Wolicki said. “One is certainly enrollment … and looking at how do we balance, because we do want fairly equal numbers of students at both of the two middle schools.”

Wolicki said transportation is being evaluated, and officials are working to keep bus routes under 50 minutes.

Frustration

Despite those plans, several parents expressed frustration over the commute to either Wendover or West Hempfield and said they purchased their homes based on Harrold’s location.

“There’s a lot of factors to having a local school that houses a lot of kids from that area,” said Gwen Allison . “Fifty minutes on a school bus, packed, it’s a not a good thing. There’s a lot of bullying. …. And we do have a bus driver shortage. I don’t see that going away.”

Under the proposed plan, ninth grade students would remain at Harrold for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 school years while the high school renovation project is ongoing.

Those students could move back to the high school for the 2025-26 school year if the project is complete. At that point, a decision could be made regarding the future of the Harrold school.

“I would say it’s very possible that the building could be closed for educational purposes,” Wolicki said. “We would not need it if we were able to function with two middles and having all of our high school students at the high school. That would become a decision that the school board would have discussion with what to do with the building.”

Allison, of Hempfield’s Fort Allen neighborhood, noted that history is tied to Harrold Middle School.

“We purchased our home because of the three schools. … It’s just a shame for this building to be lost to this district,” Allison said.

Wolicki responded, saying, “You brought up a great point. There’s a lot of history here and a lot of pride, and certainly something if the building were to close after the three years. … we would certainly look at how to recognize that.”

District leaders are looking to collect further public input, and several parents suggested surveying those who would be affected by proposed plans.

A public hearing is scheduled for this summer, although a date has not been set. There will then be a three-month waiting period followed by a formal board motion.

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