Spring City School Closure Rumors False, Board Says

Spring-Ford Area School District board members spoke at Monday night's meeting to strongly deny rumors that the board wants to close Spring City Elementary Hybrid Learning Center.

"We have never discussed closing that school," said board vice-president Joseph Ciresi.

Ciresi brought up the rumors at the end of the meeting after saying he had heard the rumor again from someone "higher up than [he] ever expected to hear it".

Following the meeting, Ciresi said he heard the rumor from an East Vincent Township commissioner, although he did not identify who.

"I want to clarify the record, again, for the 150th time," Ciresi said. "People are saying we want to close Spring City [Elementary]. That school has been a gem, and to hear that rumbling in the community...I am 100 percent for keeping that building open."

"We would never have put so much into it if we intended to close it," Ciresi said.

Board president Thomas DiBello was equally adamant. "For the amount of time and effort put into that school, we have people from other schools coming to look at it. I could never imagine I would vote to close it."

"Unfortunately, it's campaign season and rumors get spread," said board member Edward Dressler.

"People try to make this board look insensitive, and it's upsetting students and parents and staff," DiBello sid.

"Bottom line, don't go out there and say these things," Ciresi said. "If you hear a rumor like this, call a board member or the administration office and ask."

Will Cromley, the newest board member, summed up his feelings on closing the school at the end of the discussion. 

"Over my dead body," Cromley said.