Times Observer photo by Michael Zabrodsky Kim Angove addresses the Warren County School District Monday.

Concerned taxpayers and community members Monday continued to air their concerns about school closings during the Warren County School District committee meetings.

Kim Angove said that there is not anything that can make the process easier or less stressful.

“I would remind us all that we are all neighbors. We are all community members. When there is a closure, people are looking for someone to blame. They are looking for the evil person. … I promise you, the people on this side of the table (school board members) don’t want to do anything that causes anybody pain. They are in a very, very difficult situation,” Angove said.

Angove added that it is important how people on both sides proceed because children are watching, and respect and kindness are essential.

“Nobody is out to hurt children. Nobody is out to hurt anybody,” Angove said.

Angove noted the school closing situation is not a financial issue, but a curriculum, and enrollment issue.

“We cannot offer children in this county the quality of education that they deserve with the class sizes that we offer,” Angove said. “If we are going to be a quality educational system, we have to offer the future of this county everything we can, and not focus on the past, and not maintaining the past.”

The district can’t act on a proposal to close high schools in Youngsville and Sheffield until January.

Zach Sanford said it is a disservice of the district to move forward on a proposed consolidation without a direct conversation with stakeholders, community members.

“I understand that there are public comments here, however, that is not a conversation. There is no back and forth. There is no deliberation. We ask questions, and we get answers on a spreadsheet later on,” Sanford said. “I do not want to see any buildings closed.

Director of Pupil Services Dr. Patricia Mead said that since the school year 2013-2014 enrollment has been declining in the district by 15%. At the same time, Mead noted, the special education (students eligible for special ed services) rate of change has increased by 19%.

“We are close to 45% of our special education teachers who are committed to a full-time classroom,” Mead added.

Mead said that since the 2016-17 school year, the overall population of the county declined, in some cases, course selection, and class sizes have decreased, but special education teacher staff-student ratio has remained constant.

“Our rate of change has increased by 19% of students eligible for IEP (Individual Education Plan) Services, and we have not received any additional special education staff to support that rate of change,” Mead said.

Board member John Wortman commented on the loss of the district’s curricular opportunities. Wortman was a district student at Warren Area High School from 2008 to 2012, and said he had courses available to him to help him prepare for his career. Wortman added that current WAHS students have fewer course offerings than he had.

Because of the school district, Wortman was able to achieve his goals in his life, but is not certain that current students will have the same opportunities as he did.

“I’m worried that if we don’t work on our curricular offerings that the same kid who was in my shoes 12 years ago, they are not going to have that opportunity,” Wortman said.

Previously, Superintendent Gary Weber said the consolidation is a “strategic step toward enhancing educational opportunities for students” that also addresses the “long-term financial sustainability of the district.”

The superintendent noted three main considerations are attached to the consolidation proposal which include academic benefits, financial considerations and facilities. Weber said the consolidation would be a major step, a more equitable access to the district’s curriculum, citing more class offerings and a diverse range of electives that would result.

The board is scheduled to meet on Jan. 27.