The motion would see ninth through 12th grades at Youngsville consolidated to Eisenhower. Sheffield students, who already come to Warren for core classes each day, would shift full time to Warren.

“The opportunities that can exist from a curriculum standpoint are quite substantial,” Superintendent Gary Weber said. “You’d be able to offer a substantial curriculum in both buildings and make education equitable in the Warren County School District.”

The discussion about the number of high schools in the WCSD has been a controversial topic in the county for 40 years or more.

Monday’s discussion started with a broad facility, enrollment and academic conversation based on a host of data prepared by the administration.

WCSD Superintendent Gary Weber presents data on enrollment, facilities and academics as part of a discussion about the district’s high school structure during committee meetings on Monday. The board will entertain a motion to initiate the closure process for Sheffield and Youngsville grades 9-12.

The board discussion included the order of renovations to the district’s buildings, the impact of the bond issues that funded that work, how decisions now would impact future boards as well as impacts for students and their communities.

“I know it’s a hard conversation,” Weber acknowledged. “What we’re able to offer our kids… academically is really, really important as we take a look at this process.”

Increasing the number of students enhances the number of courses that can be offered in each building.

“We have an academic responsibility to kids (and a) fiscal responsibility,” he said. “I think we can make both of those.”

“There’s not going to be a school district in 10 years if we don’t do something,” Board President Paul Mangione said. “I’m not prepared to raise taxes by four to six mills every year just to maintain a building or maintain a mascot.”

Board member John Wortman said he would look to bring a motion to the Sept. 9 meeting to hold closure hearings for ninth through 12th grades at Sheffield and Youngsville. His proposal would see the consolidation take effect with the 2025-2026 school year.

“We as a board can leave one of two legacies,” he said, bankruptcy or options for a future board.

Board member Mary Passinger pointed out that students can be educated in community schools. But she questioned whether that education is a good education.

“It does offer us the unique ability to see light finally at the end of the tunnel,” Mangione added, “and know that this is just a short-term strategy to finally having a long-term solution which has been coming down the railroad tracks … for the last 30 to 40 years. This is the closest we’ve been to providing equitable and an across the board education no matter where that student resides….”

Administration is recommending the motion proposed by Wortman but presented other options earlier this month. One of those was closing Eisenhower and shifting those students to Youngsville. Closing Eisenhower, though, could trigger an immediate $10 million bill from the bonds that were used to fund the project. Conversely, Youngsville has not been renovated since the 1980s and keeping it open long-term would require a projected $25 million renovation project.

“I think had circumstances been different over the past 15 years, the order in which renovations were done, we may be giving you a different answer today,” Weber said.

Board member Tammi Holden asked why the buildings proposed to remain open are the two closest in proximity.

Wortman cited the projected renovation cost in Youngsville.

“We have to make the best decision with the best information and current information that exists,” he said. “I think right now, Sheffield and Youngsville, based off the financial information… I think that’s what makes the most fiscal and then the (most) educational sense at this time.”

Part of the discussion Monday also looked at where the district’s students live. Administration prepared a population map that shows the vast majority of district students live in the Warren area, Youngsville and northern tier of the county.

“I’ve wrestled with geographically looking at Warren County,” Weber acknowledged.

Board member Kevin Lindvay acknowledged that the district is “bound by some financial responsibilities to these other schools,” such as the bond issue for the Eisenhower renovation which will be paid off in 2034.

He stressed that he doesn’t want to see the district putting money into bricks and mortar in 2034 where there are no students.

“I support this,” he said.

Under this proposal Youngsville Elementary would house students in kindergarten through eighth grades. Board member Daniel Sullivan asked about the capacity of the septic and water systems at Eisenhower.

“I don’t think this is the right move just because of the centralized location,” he said. “You go from police being able to show up to a school in five minutes as opposed to 20 minute times. Safety has to be a factor.”

Lindvay stressed that the WCSD is not alone when it comes to issues of consolidation and reconfiguring brick and mortar spaces.

“Even across the state of Pennsylvania, it’s a huge thing,” he said, calling the issue “not unique to Warren County.”

“My biggest thing about taking the school out of the community,” Holden said, is “your ‘have nots’ are going to have less. Sometimes that school community is something the ‘have nots’ have. There are kids out there who have no parental support. Those are the kids that are going to fall by the wayside.”

“If this were to become reality… we really have to break out into committees to look at those factors,” Weber said, “safety, transportation, after-school activities, how to make a smooth transition. It is going to be a big transition for families and communities. It’s hard because we get a ton of support from the communities,” he added, calling that an “awesome aspect of Warren County.”

Combining schools, though, “we can provide opportunities. By doing what we’re doing now, (we’re) not doing that well.”