Warren, PA - More than 130 people packed the Warren County Courthouse for a hearing between the Warren County School District and Save Our Schools, a local group fighting proposed school closures and consolidations.
 
Attorney Tom Pendleton, representing Save Our Schools, called multiple witnesses to testify, including parents, a school nurse, a counselor, and a local bus driver. Testimony focused on student's well-being, long bus rides, and concerns that children may not be able to participate in extracurricular activities due to time constraints caused by consolidation.
 
Pendleton also argued that the Sheffield school building has not been renovated since 1985 and is now in disrepair due to what he called the district's neglect.
 
"This closure has brought a lot of these issues to light," stated Attorney Pendleton. "The building has not been touched since 1985, there were plans back in 2016 and 2017, but they were discarded. It's pretty clear that the school district wasn't and hasn't been paying attention to the Youngsville community, and now it's up to the judge to make the decision that he thinks is best." 
 
Representing the school district, Attorney Mike Musone brought Superintendent Gary Weber and school board member Kevin Lindvay to the stand. They testified that the district has faced decades of declining enrollment and limited funding, making school consolidation a difficult but necessary conversation.
 
"They are asking the judge to rule that an hour bus ride is unconstitutional," stated Attorney Musone, during the hearing. "There is no proof that this closure is violating rights. There was only one remedy, and that was to vote for different school board members, not go to court and ask the judge to become a super school board."
 
"We work with the school board and follow their directives," stated Warren County School District Superintendent Gary Weber. "If this is what the board wants us to do - that is what we will do. But this decision has been hanging over our heads for decades and was by no means a rushed or arbitrary decision."

Judge James Arner from Clarion County presided over the hearing and actively questioned both sides. He said he will review all of the testimony and evidence presented before issuing a final decision.