News Summary
The Shaler Area School District will hold a community forum to discuss its proposed plan, ‘Building for Tomorrow,’ which seeks to close Shaler Area Elementary School and realign grades. The plan includes relocating fourth and fifth graders to four primary schools and moving sixth grade to Shaler Area Middle School. The forum takes place in the high school auditorium, allowing residents to voice their opinions on these significant changes. A recording will be made available for those unable to attend.
Shaler, PA – The Shaler Area School District is set to hold a community forum to discuss its proposed plan titled “Building for Tomorrow,” which aims to close the Shaler Area Elementary School and realign grades within the district. The forum will take place on Monday, September 29, at 6 p.m. in the auditorium at Shaler Area High School.
The centerpiece of the plan is the closure of the Shaler Area Elementary School, situated on Scott Avenue, which currently serves students in fourth through sixth grades. The school district intends to sell the elementary school property for redevelopment, a move designed to reorganize the grade structure across its facilities.
Under the proposed realignment, fourth and fifth graders will be relocated to the district’s four primary schools: Burchfield, Marzolf, Reserve, and Scott. These schools are currently designed for kindergarten through third-grade students. Meanwhile, sixth grade will be transitioned to the Shaler Area Middle School, which currently serves seventh and eighth graders. This realignment seeks to keep students within the same school from kindergarten through fifth grade, thereby reducing the number of transitions and enhancing both learning and social development.
By retaining a neighborhood identity in the four primary schools, the district hopes to strengthen community ties. Although discussions have included the possibility of closing both Shaler Area Elementary and Reserve Primary School, there has been notable opposition from some residents regarding the latter. However, the district is committed to preserving Burchfield, Marzolf, Reserve, and Scott as K-5 neighborhood elementary schools.
Importantly, no students will be moved to the elementary school during the 2026-27 school year, with rising fourth graders remaining in their current neighborhood schools. Starting in June 2027, sixth and seventh-grade students will transition directly into the middle school.
The plan includes a phased approach designed to ensure smooth transitions, providing stability for families and allowing the district to adequately prepare for instructional programming and staffing needs. In addition, a decision regarding the future of the swimming pool at the elementary school is expected to be made in the next two years. Options under consideration include assessing its cost and benefit, determining future locations for a district swimming pool, and exploring rental alternatives for student-athletes.
The swimming pool at the elementary school is projected to remain operational until the end of 2027. For residents with questions or concerns about the plan or forum, they can reach out to the district at 412-429-1200, ext. 2801.
For those unable to attend the community forum, a recording will be made available on the district’s website, allowing all residents to stay informed about this significant change within the Shaler Area School District.
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Additional Resources
- TribLive: Shaler Area Plan Calls for Closing Elementary School
- Wikipedia: Shaler Area School District
- TribLive: Board Hopefuls Vying for Seats in Shaler Area School District
- Google Search: Shaler Area School District
- TribLive Community: Monroeville Times Express
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Pennsylvania
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