Two groups in York renew their fight over where students should go to school
Photo by Ben Allen/witf
Vicky Mills, a supporter of the group Keep Us in Dover Schools, or KIDS, speaks at a state Board of Education hearing.
(Harrisburg) — In an education fight that has stretched for years, another round is still to come.
Two groups in York County feuding over which school district is the best fit take their case to the state Board of Education once again.
It all centers on the county’s Washington Township.
One group, known as KIDS, wants to stay in Dover Area School District.
Supporter Holly Feeser says Dover has more unique programs than the other option.
“We’re going to talk to the media as much as possible. We’re going to send as many letters. We are not just in it for just our children, we’re in it for the entire district, because the entire district stands to lose,” says Feeser. “Writing letters to the state board, writing letters to Secretary Rivera and continuing to express our desire and our reasons for wanting to stay in Dover schools.”
Photo by Ben Allen/witf
Joe Sieber, past-president of the Washington Township Education Coalition, which pushed for the switch to Northern York County School District, called the process and decision “gut-wrenching” in public comments to the state education committee in 2015.
But the Washington Township Education Coalition, led by Ralph McGregor, says higher test scores and lower taxes in Northern York School District should add up to a transfer out of Dover.
“We can’t pick out one or two cherries from the cherry pie. We have to look at the whole cherry pie. And when we look to the whole cherry pie, there’s no doubt that Northern is advantageous to us,” he says. “I don’t think they can override the process that’s been established for the transfer of one municipality from one school district to another school district.”
The fight has gone on for at least five years.
In late 2015, the state Board of Education had decided to block the transfer.
But, Commonwealth Court ordered it to take another look, so the issue is back before the board.
The state board considers the case in a meeting Thursday morning.
Another group in Highspire, Dauphin County, is trying to change school districts as well.
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