It was a joyous time for the school and the district when officials and students learned that Chadds Ford Elementary School was named a Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the National Department of Education in the No Child Left Behind program. The announcement came last September and, to show its pride, the school erected a sign letting passers-by on Route 1 know that the school achieved the recognition. Then the reality of bureaucracy came knocking on the door.
The 4- by 8-foot sign was only up for a couple of weeks in January, according to School Superintendent Sharon Parker, before school officials and members of the Unionville-Chadds Ford Education Foundation – the group who paid for the sign – learned it had to be removed because it violated the Pennsbury Township Zoning Code.
According to Parker, she first contacted the township to see whether it would be OK to simply move the sign farther back from the road, but was told it could not be anywhere on school property.
To get the sign put back, the district and foundation must go to the zoning board for a variance and some Pennsbury residents want to help foot the bill.
Parker and foundation member Katherine Do, in February, made a plea to the Pennsbury Township supervisors to see whether they could waive the regulation or possibly waive the $700 fee a zoning hearing.
“I felt that we were greeted by great support from the community members and that were treated with sensitivity by the supervisors, but at this time we still have not heard,” Parker said.
Neither the district nor the foundation was in a position to pay the fee, she said, adding that even if the appeal were successful only a portion of the fee would be returned.
Afterwards, however, she was approached by Pennsbury resident Aaron McIntyre who said he was willing to coordinate some financial help. McIntyre is a member of an informal group of residents from three homeowners' associations who are chipping in to pay for the zoning fee.
And a day later Parker learned that another person approached Do and assured her that the hearing fee would be covered.
The superintendent said the sign was never intended to be permanent.
“The intention is that is would be up for one year. ... At this point we'd like to conclude this school year with it, get next school year underway and then we would find an appropriate moment to retire the sign,” Parker said. “There's no point in leaving it up after others in the state win the award. This would be for the honor year.”
McIntyre said there are residents of Pennsbury who “recognize one of the elementary schools in the township is performing very well, are excited about that and want to see any recognition that can be afforded the school take place.”
Hillendale Elementary School is also in Pennsbury Township.
As yet, there's been no hearing date set.
About Rich Schwartzman
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading...
Comments