JOHNSTOWN, Pa. -- The Greater Johnstown Middle School could be closing in the near future.
No decision has been made yet, but last week the school board approved a motion to have a hearing regarding a possible closure.
The acting superintendent stresses that no decision has been made, but he says now is the time to ask whether it's in the best interest of the community to keep the middle school open, or look at another redesign to save taxpayers additional costs.
Acting Superintendent Michael Vuckovich said flat funding from the state, increased costs for health care and pensions are just some of the issues plaguing the school, in addition to the building itself needing repair.
But he said they're in a position that they can fix the problems and overcome budgetary hurdles.
As for where students and staff will go if the school closes, he said the schools in the district are built to hold 4,500 students. Right now, they only have about 3,000 students enrolled.
"At this point, no decision has been made,” Vuckovich said. "We will have a very lengthy discussion that will follow with a 90-day cooling period. And after 90 days, then a decision will be made to either keep the middle school open or to possibly close it."
The superintendent said it will be a difficult decision and it will take quite some time to analyze.
Crystal Tisinger has two kids who went to the middle school, and she attended the school as well.
She says she has a lot of good memories in the building, but some things have to change.
She's in favor of a closure because she says the school is aging.
Former students we spoke with said the building is in disrepair.
"It's crumbling down around us now,” Tisinger said. “I think it'll be a good move for them because it would cost more to fix (and) keep it up and running."
The superintendent said there is going to be a lot of planning about the process and transformation.
And he welcomes anyone to voice their opinions at the public hearing, scheduled for March 2 at 6 p.m. at Greater Johnstown Middle School.
ncG1vNJzZmivmpawtcKNnKamZ56axLR7y6iamqRfnL%2BmrdOeqWain527tMDOsKVmq5OdvLC4jJ2grKyinrC1ecKopayhlJq%2FtHnCpaasoZ6ceq61w52jnmWjmLWwu8s%3D