Times Observer photo by Brian Ferry Visitors concerned about proposed reconfiguration of Warren County School District schools listen as Jacque Catrabone of Strategy Solutions speaks Monday about reconfiguration before the physical plant and facilities committee of the school board.

More than 100 people attended Monday night’s school board committee meetings.

The board reconfigured its meeting space to allow more people into that room and provided a room for overflow seating nearby. There were about 60 visitors in the board room at the district’s central office with about 15 more nearby in an overflow room. More than 50 attended the discussion of reconfiguration virtually. Many of the 60 visitors in the meeting room wore clothing showing their colors – Sheffield and Youngsville garb were scattered throughout. A few people spoke, directly addressing the board’s stated interest in reconfiguring its schools.

Youngsville Borough Manager Wendy Wilcox said she wanted to address the board regarding “taking out of service Youngsville Middle High School.”

She addressed a number of arguments she said she has heard that support such a closure and otherwise concern residents.

“A drop in attendance numbers has been a main concern,” she said. She said the northern attendance area’s numbers are dropping faster than the west’s.

“Transportation is another concern of both the district and the community,” Wilcox said. Geographically, “Youngsville is almost in the center of the county.”

In the event of an emergency, police and fire services are both much closer to Youngsville than to Eisenhower High School. She asked that the board consider Youngsville in the same way it would any other school, despite there being no school board representatives from the borough. In closing, Wilcox asked the board to consider the safety, health, and education of the students.

Trudy Kysor of Youngsville said her grandchildren “participate in every sport” at YMHS.

She said having that opportunity has taught them “sportsmanship, responsibility, and the ability to work with others to achieve a goal.”

Kysor said she served on the school board 20 years ago and would “gladly” give her cost-of-living increase if it would help keep the school open. Kelly Sullivan of Youngsville said some students are already on the bus for an hour and closing the school would keep them on it for another. She suggested that future public meetings on the subject of reconfiguration include a virtual element, so those who cannot physically make it to the location can participate. “If you really wanted to engage the community, why not hold it on Zoom,” Sullivan asked. “There are concerned parents who may have to be out of town or have to work.”

Carl Lewis said meetings that concern the future of Youngsville and Sheffield schools should not be held in Russell. “If the goal is public engagement, subsequent meetings should be held at Sheffield and Youngsville.”

“Our children are not a number on a paper,” Sullivan said. “We are concerned. Please hear us.”