NEW WILMINGTON, Pa.,None — Budget cuts have forced the Wilmington School District in New Wilmington to consider shutting down a newly renovated elementary school.
East Lawrence Elementary may be shut down, according to school officials. In all, 51 students attend the school in grades kindergarten through third.
"We pay most of the taxes, and they want us to give up our school? It's not fair," said parent Lisa Sotter.
The Wilmington School District is like many others in Pennsylvania, dealing with an $870,000 cut in state and federal funding. The superintendent said she doesn't want to close a school or cut programs, but it's something that has to be done.
The school board has already decided not to cut sports. Officials said shutting the school down to make up for the budget cuts is the best option because there are two other elementary buildings in the district. But parents said they don't agree.
"We have to put our little ones on a bus for an hour with kids in high school. They'll be exhausted," Sotter said.
The decision to shut down the school will be made in August, just days before the expected start of the new school year.
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