School change petition gets 800 signers

PORTER TOWNSHIP — Earlier this year the Porter Township Initiative began their quest to change their school district from East Stroudsburg to Wallenpaupack. The reason given for change is a better education, at almost half the cost, for the 43 Porter Township children who presently attend East Stroudsburg. Each Porter Township property owner, some 1,100, was sent a petition early this summer. PTI has received over 800 signed petitions in favor of change, which is far more than the majority needed to continue the process. A hearing date has been scheduled for Jan. 26, 2010, at 9:30 a.m., at the Pike County Court House. If the court finds that the petition was property filed by PTI, the court will forward the request for consideration by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. About 80% of Porter Township property owners are in favor of changing school districts.