Neshaminy School Board holds public hearing on Pearl S. Buck Elementary closure

The Neshaminy School District held a public hearing on June 1, 2024, to discuss the proposed permanent closure of Pearl S. Buck Elementary School, located at 143 Top Road, Levittown, PA. The meeting began with an introduction by the presiding official, who outlined the statutory requirements for the hearing as mandated by Pennsylvania's school code.

The official presented several exhibits to establish the context for the hearing. These included a resolution adopted by the school board on April 9, 2024, which called for the public hearing, and proof of publication in the Bucks County Courier Times on April 16, 2024. An affidavit confirming the posting of the hearing notice was also included, along with a public hearing booklet dated May 7, 2024, detailing the reasons for the proposed closure.

The primary rationale for considering the closure of Pearl S. Buck Elementary School is attributed to a declining number of students and the condition of the existing school building. The school district is also in the process of constructing Zucor Creek Elementary School, which is intended to serve the northern part of the district. The presiding official emphasized that the hearing was strictly to gather public input on the closure, with no decisions or votes to be made during the meeting. A waiting period of at least three months is required before any vote can take place, meaning the earliest the board could vote on the closure would be in August 2024.

Public participation was encouraged, with each speaker allotted three minutes to express their views. The hearing was structured to ensure that all attendees had the opportunity to voice their opinions regarding the proposed closure. The meeting concluded with the assurance that the board would consider all feedback before making a final decision.