Times Observer photo by Monica Keller Students from Youngsville High School standing before the vote to decide whether to close their school during the Warren County School District board’s Jan. 13 meeting.

More than 1,170 people have signed a petition within 24 hours to oppose the Warren County School District’s decision to close Youngsville Middle High School.

Parents, students, and community members have expressed their concerns about how the school’s closure will impact the community, highlighting issues such as longer commute times and the disruption of vital peer connections and learning opportunities.

For many, the school is more than just an educational institution; it is a central hub of the community.

Rachel King, who launched the petition, is leading the charge to reverse the decision.

“This petition isn’t just about keeping a school open; it’s about saving the heart of our community,” King said. “We’re fighting for our children, our families, and the connections that make Youngsville strong.”

Petition signers have voiced their concerns, emphasizing the unique benefits of smaller schools and the close-knit relationships they foster.

Collin, a Youngsville graduate, wrote, “Youngsville isn’t just a school, it’s a community, and the people that go there are like a family. Teachers there have a personal connection with students–you know they care. Many of my greatest memories and long-time friendships came from being a Youngsville grad. These personal connections could never be made the same with consolidation.”

Others, like Victoria, pointed out the practical challenges of the closure:

“To close a community school, sending students to a different town, would leave after-school jobs unfilled. There’s zero public transportation to the schools they’re sending students to. Closing Youngsville will diminish children’s ability to participate in sports and increase the number of at-risk teenagers. Data proves that children in smaller schools succeed, and violence increases in larger schools!”

Kyle, another concerned community member, echoed the sentiment: “We don’t need our kids on buses for over two hours a day! Condensing kids into even bigger classes takes away the one-on-one learning they already struggle to get. Not to mention, it would start the downfall of our community.”

The Youngsville attendance area is appealing the school district’s decision to the Secretary of Education and the Court of Common Pleas. To strengthen their case, petitioners wanted to gather at least 1,000 signatures, a goal they’ve already surpassed in just one day.

According to Research for Action, a nonprofit education research organization, courts have not held districts to any specific evidentiary burden or recognized any rights of appeal for families, teachers, or others in the community. The appeals process in state law refers to a school district that finds itself aggrieved by a reorganizational plan adopted by a county school board being able to petition the state Board of Education if the appeal is filed within 30 days. Under that scenario, the board sets a date for a hearing, with three or more members of the board constituting the state board for hearing purposes. That decision can then be appealed, by a school district, to the Court of Common Pleas in the county where the school is located.

For those interested in supporting the cause, the petition can be found on Change.org by searching “Youngsville School.”