UPPER DARBY, Pa. (KYW Newsradio) — The future of an elementary school in Delaware county’s largest school district hangs in the balance as administrators try to figure out their next move.
The Upper Darby School District leases Charles Kelly Elementary School from the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
“Like a lot of older facilities, it obviously needs updates and repairs and renovations. Since we don’t own that property and that school, that’s not really financially the wisest thing to do, to pour money into a facility that we don’t own,” said Superintendent Dr. Daniel McGarry.
McGarry says they are currently negotiating a contract extension on the school for next school year, but when it comes to the future, “looking at the enrollment trends, we could have these students for the most part go back to two schools, we could redistrict students."
This plan that can save money has also drawn some negative feedback, McGarry says, because of “the fear of overcrowding in that school.”
He says that’s not something they see happening as that plan can keep class sizes at around 22 students.
McGarry adds the district has a facilities plan to build its own new elementary school, so staying at Charles Kelly for the long haul is not something they see happening.