GALLITZIN — The Penn Cambria School Board heard from parents and community members about the possibility of closing its intermediate and middle schools at two public hearings Wednesday.

At the middle school in Gallitzin, Superintendent Jamie Hartline showed photos of water infiltration damage that has impacted the school’s second story to a crowd of about 20 residents in attendance.

Hartline said the middle school was built in 1962 and had a second

-story addition installed in 1974. There were some minor mechanical, electrical and plumbing renovations done when the school added a security vestibule in 2000, but Hartline said the remaining interior and exterior finishes are all original.

According to the district’s 2023 feasibility study, the district would have to spend about $10.5 million to repair mechanical, electrical and plumbing concerns. Interior and exterior finishes to the building are not included in that figure, Hartline said, noting the district would have to consider additional costs to upgrade the building.

The building also needs roofing repairs, which Hartline said would cost about $1.4 million.

It’s estimated Penn Cambria could save $296,000 in yearly operational costs if the district chooses to close the middle school, he said.

Several residents spoke during the public comment portion of the hearing, including Walter Musselman, who asked school officials what it would cost taxpayers if the board votes to raise taxes for a consolidation project.

Board President Michael Sheehan said the cost would be different for each taxpayer in the district, depending on a number of factors.

Gallitzin Borough Council President James Risban shared concerns for the district’s athletes and asked Hartline to keep the borough informed so borough officials can answer questions from the public.

District parent Andy Davis told the board he supports a consolidation project, noting it would save the district money on transportation costs by having a centralized campus. He said it would also be more convenient for parents, like Davis, who have several kids in the district.

“It would be better if all the kids were in one place,” Davis said. “This is not convenient for me the way Penn Cambria is laid out. The taxpayer does have to pay for it, but I don’t see any sense in fixing up a building that you guys obviously don’t need.”

Another parent expressed concerns about her daughter being bullied. She asked whether the district has the resources to assist students with learning disabilities who are bullied.

“My daughter is bullied,” the parent said. “I’m worried about her being in a bigger school with less resources and not having the support she needs that she has here as opposed to being together with the high school.”

Hartline assured the parent that the district would not lose any of its staff members if the board moves forward with a consolidation project.

To date, the board has heard 13 options for the project, according to Hartline, who said option 12A — creating a centralized campus at the pre-primary and high schools in Cresson and closing all other schools — has “quite honestly gained the most traction.”

Hartline said the district’s enrollment is predicted to decline by nearly 400 students over the next 10 years. He said the board has to make difficult decisions and has several things to consider.

Hartline said option 12A would cost the district about $49 million, which is under the district’s legal borrowing capacity and is cheaper than upgrading all five of its buildings.

“It was more expensive to update all of our buildings than it is to build a new two-story addition to our high school,” Hartline said.

At the intermediate school in Lilly, Hartline said the feasibility study identified over $3 million in recommended mechanical, electrical and plumbing repairs to the building. He said the estimated yearly operational savings of closing the intermediate school is about $217,000.

Although a hearing to discuss the potential closure of the intermediate school was only attended by about four residents, there were still several concerns shared with the board.

Lilly resident Pat McCool asked board members to consider the students whenever they decide to vote on their consolidation plans. He said there’s a great view of nature all around the intermediate school.

“You won’t see that up in Cresson,” he said, noting nature may calm students down when they look out a window and see turkey or deer outside. “It’s just something to think about.”

Rebecca Strunk said other school districts — Central Cambria and Cambria Heights — have facilities their residents can be proud of. She asked the board to consider upgrading its facilities so that Penn Cambria residents can be proud of their district.

Sheehan said the district’s current financial situation, when compared to other districts’ facilities, is like seeing a neighbor buy a $600,000 house.

“It would be great to have it, but if you can only afford a $300,000 house, that’s what you’ve got to do. That’s the boat we’re in,” he said.

Board Secretary Matt Kearney said he agrees with both Strunk and Sheehan. The first step to build better facilities is to consolidate and save money in the long run, he said.

McCool jokingly said by the time Penn Cambria can afford to purchase upgrades, other schools’ facilities will be outdated.

“Hopefully someday they’ll be jealous of us,” Sheehan said in response.

If the district does decide to go the consolidation route, Hartline said the goal would be to have the facility ready for the 2027-28 school year, depending on construction.

Hartline said the board cannot legally vote to close any of its buildings until a three-month cooldown period expires in December. He said a decision is not likely to be made once the cooldown period expires.

“Don’t expect anything on December 26,” he said. “No decisions will be made haphazardly.”

Mirror Staff Writer Matt Churella is at 814-946-7520.