It is evident that several area school districts are deeply engaged in addressing facility challenges — maintenance, renovations, construction, security. Having been responsible for a variety of facility assets, I am empathetic to all those involved. The question looming over all decisions, how to pay for these issues?
Perhaps it is time to pause and take a broader view. Public records indicate that Westmoreland County currently has 17 independent school districts, 104 physical facilities, 45,766 enrolled students. The 2004-05 school year enrollment was 55,489 students.
A recent report from the Center for Rural Pennsylvania: “Westmoreland County will lead population decline in Western Pennsylvania” from 354,316 residents to 297,459 residents in the next 30 years.”
With a 21% drop in school enrollment over the past nine years and a projected 16% drop in population during the next 30 years, perhaps now is the time for Westmoreland County to move beyond 17 districts to a single county district (I can hear the gasps!). As unconventional as an idea that sounds, one does not have to look far (Maryland and Virginia) to see that it is possible.
The challenge is, do we have leaders to explore such a bold vision?
Robert McDonald
Greensburg