Ground was broken Monday for a new elementary school in Bradford County.
With the toss of the shovel, the $28 million project is now officially underway.
Not everyone is happy about that.
"When they're taking elementary schools out of our area we're losing our identity. We're losing a sense of togetherness as a community," said Phillip Brewer of Laceyville. He has lived and worked in Laceyville for most of his life.
His children attended school in Wyoming County and he wants to see future students getting their educations closer to home.
"First grade students will have to ride 20 to 40 miles round trip every day. First grade students! You tell me if that's unethical or not. I think it is," Brewer said.
The new elementary school will be built behind the Wyalusing Valley Junior/Senior High School. That means one large school campus for the district rather than having schools spread out over two different counties as it is now.
"All the students will be transported to one sight. We'll have one educational campus. It's going to be a very big change for the district and it's a positive move for the school as well as for the education of the children," said Wyalusing Superintendent Ray Fleming.
Many students who have grown accustomed to their backyard school buildings are saddened about the transition.
"It makes me really sad because I liked my school and now we're going to Wyalusing and we're going to have to ride the bus down there," said Olivia Wheeler of New Albany.
Elementary schools in Laceyville, Camptown, New Albany and Wyalusing will all close when the new building is opened.
The project is slated to be finished in time for the 2011-2012 academic year; a change that some are embracing and a change that others could do without.
With the toss of the shovel, the $28 million project is now officially underway.
Not everyone is happy about that.
"When they're taking elementary schools out of our area we're losing our identity. We're losing a sense of togetherness as a community," said Phillip Brewer of Laceyville. He has lived and worked in Laceyville for most of his life.
His children attended school in Wyoming County and he wants to see future students getting their educations closer to home.
"First grade students will have to ride 20 to 40 miles round trip every day. First grade students! You tell me if that's unethical or not. I think it is," Brewer said.
The new elementary school will be built behind the Wyalusing Valley Junior/Senior High School. That means one large school campus for the district rather than having schools spread out over two different counties as it is now.
"All the students will be transported to one sight. We'll have one educational campus. It's going to be a very big change for the district and it's a positive move for the school as well as for the education of the children," said Wyalusing Superintendent Ray Fleming.
Many students who have grown accustomed to their backyard school buildings are saddened about the transition.
"It makes me really sad because I liked my school and now we're going to Wyalusing and we're going to have to ride the bus down there," said Olivia Wheeler of New Albany.
Elementary schools in Laceyville, Camptown, New Albany and Wyalusing will all close when the new building is opened.
The project is slated to be finished in time for the 2011-2012 academic year; a change that some are embracing and a change that others could do without.
