Concerns mount over possible South Middle School closure in Pennridge

Teachers, parents and residents urge board to slow process and preserve school culture during Monday discussion

Dozens of residents, teachers and parents spoke passionately Monday night about the potential closure of South Middle School during a lengthy Pennridge School Board meeting dominated by budget concerns and district restructuring discussions.

While no formal vote on closing the school occurred Monday night, multiple speakers addressed the district’s ongoing examination of consolidating from three middle schools to two amid declining enrollment and financial pressures.

Several residents warned the district against moving too quickly, arguing the educational and community impacts had not been fully studied.

Pennridge Education Association President Paul Goldberg, a longtime music teacher who helped open North Middle School, urged the district to carefully manage any future transition for students and staff.

“Much has been said about the culture and community that the staff … have fostered and cultivated in that building,” Goldberg said. “I think it is crucial that time spent to make the shift of students from South to Central and North a focal point.”

Goldberg also stressed the importance of moving faculty members alongside students if consolidation occurs.

“The thoughtful integration of these faculty and students will be crucial to their success and the other school’s success in this new environment,” he said.

Several speakers challenged the district’s enrollment and capacity projections tied to the possible closure.

Perkasie Borough resident Katie Renee said the capacity figures presented through the Breslin study appeared unrealistic and warned larger class sizes could hurt students academically.

“Closing a school is arguably the most drastic, complex, and irreversible of the bunch,” she said. “This process cannot be treated the same as the redistricting of elementary schools.”

Pennridge Education Association President-elect Lydia Raymer Hunter, whose daughter currently attends South, described the school’s close-knit environment as one of its greatest strengths.

“The community at South has its own traditions, special events, and unique flavor,” she said. “As a smaller school, students may miss out on some opportunities, but the sense of belonging is worth it.”

Teacher Jen Hurley, who works in all three Pennridge middle schools, questioned whether North and Central could realistically absorb hundreds of additional students.

“Please run this year’s schedule as if it were only in two buildings and see if you have the rooms to put all the classes in there,” Hurley said. “Make sure you can actually do it.”

Hurley cited concerns about overcrowded hallways, lack of classroom space, limited planning areas for teachers and the impact larger classes could have on students with learning challenges.

“The priority needs to be student success and all your choices need to keep that as your guiding star,” she said.

Former South teacher and longtime district resident Ben Purcell delivered one of the evening’s most emotional appeals, describing the school as an anchor within the community.

Purcell said South has produced generations of graduates, including former students who became aerospace engineers at NASA and SpaceX.

“It’s not just the building that’s foundational,” Purcell said. “It’s important to our little community. It’s been an anchor.”

New Hilltown resident and Coast Guard veteran Andrew Ryder also questioned the proposal, warning that closing South could damage Pennridge’s reputation and educational quality. Ryder noted South is currently the district’s only Title I middle school and questioned how funding and student support services would be impacted if the building closes.

“If you close South, it’s going to be a fact that you’re going to ruin the experience for students in the short term,” Ryder said.

The discussion came as the board approved a proposed final 2026-27 budget featuring a 3% tax increase in a 5-3 vote Monday night. Several board members referenced the possible South closure as one of the measures under review as the district works to reduce long-term costs.