Chadds Ford Elementary School gets sign approval

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There was little doubt going into the hearing that the Unionville-Chards Ford Education Foundation would get the requested zoning variance for a special sign at Chadds Ford Elementary School.

Little doubt since Pennsbury Township supervisors were already in favor of the variance being granted and the planning commission had no objection to the application.

So, having eight people testify was almost overkill. But, the foundation was taking no chances. And the efforts were rewarded.

Pennsbury Township Zoning Hearing Board members granted the variance allowing the school to put back a sign saying the school was a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence in the No Child Left Behind program. The Department of Education announced the award last September.

Among the speakers at the May 5 hearing were school district Superintendent Sharon Parker, CFES Principal Mark Ransford and former Pennsbury Township Supervisor MaryAnna Ralph.

All those who spoke said the award was a great honor for the school, and for the district as a whole, but Chadds Ford resident Heidi Brown addressed a more practical side to acknowledging the honor with a sign.

“We’re fortunate that our schools have a reputation for providing a great education. Our school district is the primary reason why we enjoy high property values, higher than most any other community in Pennsylvania. … By denying the use of a congratulatory sign for a school, I say what message does that send. The number one reason why people move to this area is the schools. And the Blue Ribbon Award is an extremely high honor given to so few schools. … I see [having the sign] as an opportunity to send a message saying our taxpayer dollars are being spent wisely."

Ransford supported Brown’s statement with a story about an individual in Russia who’s coming to the area for a job in the pharmaceutical industry. Ransford said the individual phoned him to say he saw on the Internet a story about the school winning the award and, because of that, will be moving into the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District.

Kathy Do, of the education foundation, spoke first, telling the board members, “When we heard that one of our schools had won this prestigious award, we, the foundation, decided we wanted to recognize the achievement in a tangible way.”

That way was with a 4-foot by 8-foot sign on the school’s front lawn next to the school’s regular sign near Route 1.

The sign was erected this winter – paid for by the education foundation – but was removed when school officials learned the sign violated the township zoning code.

Chadds ford Elementary School is in an area zoned residential and township zoning laws allow only one sign for the school. That was the restriction that was waived with the temporary variance.

Do said during the zoning hearing that the sign would go back up and remain for one year.

The sign is double sided so motorists driving  north or south on Route 1can read the sign.

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.

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