WILKES-BARRE -- It was a busy and emotional meeting for the Wilkes-Barre Area School Board: a major plan was shot down, teachers were fired, and a financial plan was passed.
With a vote of 6 to 3, the board shot down a motion to consolidate all three district high schools, Meyers, Coughlin and G.A.R. Memorial into one new school.
Because of aging and crumbling buildings, the district has already moved forward with a plan to build a new school, combining Coughlin and Meyers High Schools.
Board member Ned Evans wanted to add G.A.R. High School into that plan.
Taxpayers had a lot to say and a lot of questions.
"I feel every time I come to a school board meeting, I'm Alice going through the looking glass because every time I come, things change," said Ruth Borland of Wilkes-Barre.
"Do we have room at the present Coughlin site on Washington Street for 2,100 student school or 2,200 school?" Jack Nolan of Wilkes-Barre asked.
"The school board takes a lot of heat. I respect it, but we are the taxpayers. We ask your help to understand what you are experiencing in spending our money," David Kerr of Wilkes-Barre said.
The board also voted to fire 5 G.A.R. High school teachers for violating the district's alcohol policy in connection with a school function in February.
The board also unveiled something called "Pathway to the Future," a plan to turn the district's deficit into a surplus by 2019.
Still, most people seemed focused on the plan for the new school.
Evans said he hopes his idea for one district high school isn't completely dead.
"I hope there is, for the students, for the senior high students of G.A.R. High School. I just believe why are we leaving them up there? Why aren't we bringing them down to this new school?"
Other board members say they would consider consolidating all three high schools into one when they have more information about the plan.
