It’s a cliche; but emotions ran high at Wednesday’s closure hearing of a Warren County School District proposal to close high schools in Sheffield and Youngsville.

The majority of the session, held at Warren Area High School, was dedicated to allowing members of the community to offer comments to the board and administration.

And people didn’t hold back.

Several themes emerged in the comments made by students, parents and community members, alike — the importance of community schools, safety, alleged financial mismanagement, travel, impacts to the ability to participate in extracurricular activities.

Elizabeth Feronti said the district’s plan “punishes outlying communities” for the “gross mismanagement” of the current board’s predecessors.

She cited data that shows an increase in the number of district administrators between 2012 and today.

“You are cost cutting in the wrong places. You are missing the obvious,” she said. “If we are a diminishing school population, why are we gaining administrators? Why is our budget exponentially climbing?”

“Everyone agrees Youngsville High School is already located in a geographic strategic area,” Youngsville Borough Manager Wendy Wilcox said. “The harsh reality is … we will be looking at not only consolidating high schools but elementary schools as well.”

She called on the district to reissue the bonds that funded the Eisenhower renovations, close that complex and downsize central office.

Nate Leamon, a junior at YHS, was one of several students who said they would pursue cyber-charter options if the district closes Youngsville.

“Over the past few weeks, it (has become) blatantly obvious safety is not your number one concern,” he said, alleging that money is.

He raised the contrast in emergency response times to Youngsville and Eisenhower in the event of an incident.

“We know $25 million is the price of our lives,” he said.

Avery Dalrymple, also a junior, told the board that “Youngsville is more than a school” and cited a study showing the benefits of smaller schools with high levels of social support.

She told the board that moving students would cause “social disruption” but also mental health issues.

“What children are you standing up for? It’s not me and my fellow students,” Parker Atwell said. “Closure would not even be considered if we were Dragons and not Eagles.”

“To me, the school is more than just a price tag,” Jesse Horning, a senior at Sheffield, said. “(It’s) more than just (what) you pronounced it as. I do not respect your decision or what you are trying to do to Sheffield High School.

“This is the only way I can stand up for myself, my peers and my school.”

Carrie Peterson, who owns the Youngsville Dairy Queen, said the presence of schools in Youngsville has “enhanced and benefited” the community.

She said her business has hired over 500 Youngsville students over the years and said that future students “won’t have the opportunity to work after school because they won’t be home on time.

“This will be a major issue for Youngsville businesses who rely on part-time workers.”

Susan Teconchuk, CEO of the Rouse, echoed that concern, noting that 13 students are currently employed at the Rouse and 45 percent of Rouse employees live in and around Youngsville.

She said student workers provide effort that are crucial to daily operations. “More than just workers, they are learners,” she said.

“I understand spirit doesn’t pay the bills,” Dustin Swab, who owns Youngsville Hardware and serves on borough council, said.

He cited redevelopment efforts in Youngsville that are “on the cusp” of fostering growth.

“The recipe for success is there in Youngsville,” Swab said. “We just need you to see the same thing for our future.”

“If money is the only problem, find another way,” Joe Carr added. “Closing down our schools and destroying our little town is not the way.”

Extracurricular participation was a topic frequently addressed.

Jennifer Pikna credited the Youngsville Marching Eagles program for developing confidence and determination in her children. “As a mother, I want what is best for my children,” she said. “Staying in Youngsville.. Is best for them.”

Transportation was another theme.

Rick Hutley raised concern about winter road conditions on the route between Sugar Grove and Russell while David Myers said the amount of miles his children would have to traverse to school under the proposal would increase by nearly 8,000 miles.

Zachary Sanford, a Youngsville graduate who now teaches there, added that closing the school in Youngsville will be detrimental to ongoing redevelopment plans.

“Our students deserve a future with a strong community and we need to give that to them,” he said. “We will be stripping them of that possibility.”

David Bauyer told the board the district’s financial sky is not falling, calling it “part of the lie the district always propagates.”

Most of the comments received were opposed to the proposal.

But not all of it.

City of Warren Mayor David Wortman said that “excellence in academics” needs to “be the number one priority for everything this body does now and in the future.”

He was critical of the district’s debt load. “It’s not sustainable,” he said, noting that “years and years of bad decisions” have prompted the situation. “Along the way, excellence in education for our children continues to decline each and every year.

“We cannot continue to keep and attract young families to come back into Warren County … because of the quality of the education.”

The last commenter of the evening was former Superintendent Amy Stewart.

“Your picture is very, very dismal,” she told the board, citing declining enrollment and the financial situation. “I hope the board takes some time to see tangible data on safety so you can see the actual response times because that’s a big deal.”