DV Elementary ‘well maintained, not crowded'

DINGMAN — The Delaware Valley Elementary school is clean, well maintained and its faculty has few complaints about the building, John Kupillas reported Wednesday following his recent building tour. Kupillas, who chairs the board of education’s long-range planning committee, said the school’s enrollment of 580 remains under capacity. “We are not overcrowded,” he added. No decisions have been made about renovations or new construction, but “if a new building is built, it will be on the (Westfall) campus,” he said. Board member Diane French counseled diligence in any new construction. Referencing pre-purchase costs in two failed land purchase efforts, she said, “We cannot be wasting taxpayer dollars any further.” Kupillas’ findings contradicted earlier administration and board positions about the overcrowding issue and board member John Wroblewski objected. “This campus houses a high school, middle school, elementary and administrative buildings on a site that today would not be approved for a high school alone.” Kupillas said the full board would eventually decide on what action is to be taken. French also reported on her review of national SAT scores, finding Pa. ranks 45th of 53 states and regions polled, and DV ranks in the 59th percentile statewide. Guidance Director Jay Tucker warned that comparisons of scores are misleading, as a much lower percentage of students, only those planning college, take the test in many states. Testing scores and schemes to improve them will be on the agenda of a meeting of the strategic planning committee, tentatively scheduled for 5:30 p.m., Jan. 31, at the high school.