More cooperation key to Edgmont getting a school

Editor:

There are no schools in Edgmont.

There is not an elementary, middle or high school. Not a preK or day care. Not a private, public, charter or parochial school. After the board of supervisors voted Tuesday, Edgmont will remain without a school.

“NO SCHOOL WOOHOO” read a post on the Citizens Report: Edgmont Township Facebook page.

A new school is urgently needed. Since 2010, the development of 609 new homes increased Edgmont’s residences by 36%. With this influx of families, Glenwood and Rose Tree Elementary are already operating well over capacity.

Rose Tree Media School District started working in 2018 to accommodate Edgmont’s growth. The stellar reputation of RTMSD increases property values, but school success metrics cannot be maintained if teachers and administrators spend their time on facilities logistics instead of instruction.

There are no schools in Edgmont because there are no suitable sites available within the current zoning, but RTMSD found a site for a school on Middletown Road that meets their criteria for an elementary school. Opponents say a school should not be in an R-1 residential zone.

But there are 10 public schools located in R-1 zones in the municipalities connected to Edgmont.

Media has an elementary school. Upper Providence Township has an elementary school. Middletown Township has two elementary schools. Only Edgmont sends their kids on an hourlong bus ride into other communities for their education.

Edgmont could have had a big, beautiful, state-of-the art facility for students to learn.

Edgmont could have had a local school where every child gets the support they need and no child falls through the cracks.

Edgmont could have had a school full of neighbors and friends to foster community and the growth of their littlest residents.

Edgmont could have had a school that sets our children and community up for future success.

The lack of cooperation between Edgmont Township residents and RTMSD has derailed the education of our children. Neighbors and leaders must work together to support education in the township.

I hope that this is not the end of the road for an Edgmont elementary school.