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PA Bulletin, Doc. No. 08-1361

NOTICES

STATE BOARD
OF EDUCATION

Application to Combine the Center Area School District and Monaca School District

[38 Pa.B. 3959]
[Saturday, July 19, 2008]

Application and Opportunity for Hearing

   Acting under section 224 of the Public School Code (School Code) (24 P. S. § 2-224), the Center Area School District and the Monaca School District (both situate in Beaver County) filed with the Secretary of Education (Secretary) an application for approval to combine as one school district. Under section 224 of the School Code, it is the responsibility of the State Board of Education (Board) to review the school districts' application and approve it ''as it deems wise in the best interest of the educational system of the Commonwealth.''

   As part of its consideration of an application of school districts to combine, the Board has the discretion under section 224 to permit any school district or interested party that is aggrieved by the application to file objections, stating why the application will cause it harm and the facts supporting that harm. In addition, the Board has the discretion generally to seek comment from the general public respecting the application to combine.

   In accordance with section 224 of the School Code, the Board invites any school district or interested party aggrieved by the application to combine to file its objections to the application with the Board. Also, the Board invites any member of the public to submit written comments to the Board and to present testimony at public hearings that the Board will convene as part of its consideration of the application to combine. Objections and written public comment must be received by the Board at its offices at 333 Market Street, Harrisburg, PA 17126-0333 or jbuckheit@state.pa.us no later than August 8, 2008.

Background

   Section 224 of the School Code provides as follows:

Any two or more school districts . . . may combine to create a larger school district. The board of school directors of each school district shall, by majority vote, adopt a resolution outlining the areas to be combined and file an application with the Secretary. The Secretary shall place such application on the agenda of the Board for its consideration.
The Board shall review the application and approve it as it deems wise in the best interest of the educational system of the Commonwealth.
The Board may continue the application on its agenda and may permit any school district or interested party, aggrieved by the petition, to file its objection. Such objection shall set forth the basis for and facts of aggrievement.
If an application is not approved it shall be returned to the applying districts for resubmission in accordance with such recommendations as may be attached thereto.
When an application receives approval, the Board shall direct the Secretary to issue a certificate creating the new school district, listing the name, constituting components, classification and effective date of operation.

24 P. S. § 2-224

   On October 25, 2007, the Board of School Directors of the Center Area School District and the Board of School Directors of the Monaca School District jointly transmitted to the Secretary an application for approval to combine the two school districts. On November 30, 2007, the Secretary forwarded the application to the Board for placement on its agenda. On December 18, 2007, following the installation of new members of the boards of school directors, the Secretary and the Board agreed to defer for 60 days further consideration of the school districts' application. Following further discussions with representatives of the two school districts, the Secretary and the Board agreed to defer consideration of the application to combine until the school districts mutually agree to proceed.

   On June 12, 2008, the Board of School Directors of the Center Area School District and the Board of School Directors of the Monaca School District each approved a revised application to combine. The school districts transmitted the revised application to the Secretary, which the Secretary transmitted to the Board on June 23, 2008. Copies of the application to combine, as well as other documents filed with the Board, are available from the offices of the Board, which may be reached at (717) 787-3787.

Procedure

   In accordance with the regulations of the Board, 22 Pa. Code § 1.5 (relating to applicability of general rules before the Board), the application to combine will be considered under 1 Pa. Code Part II (relating to the General Rules of Administrative Practice and Procedure) (General Rules). The chairperson of the Board has appointed a committee to conduct all necessary proceedings under section 224 of the School Code and the General Rules and to recommend final action by the Board under section 224 (relating to School Code).

   The Board committee will conduct a public hearing on August 18, 2008, in the Auditorium of the Student Union Building, Penn State University--Beaver Campus, 100 University Drive, Monaca, PA. There will be two sessions. The first will begin at 1:30 p.m. The second will begin at 6:30 p.m. Individuals wishing to provide testimony must register in advance. Individual oral testimony is limited to 10 minutes. Twenty-five written copies of testimony must be provided to the Board at the hearing. Those providing testimony may summarize or highlight the key points contained in their written testimony when making their oral comments. Individuals will be assigned a 10 minute time slot during which they may present their testimony. Those registered to present testimony are requested to arrive at least 30 minutes prior to their scheduled time slot in case of last minute cancellations and no shows. To register to present testimony, call (717) 787-3787 during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).

JIM BUCKHEIT,   
Executive Director

[Pa.B. Doc. No. 08-1361. Filed for public inspection July 18, 2008, 9:00 a.m.]

[38 Pa.B. 3961]
[Saturday, July 19, 2008]

 

 


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