Irvin Tantlinger announced his resignation as Ligonier Valley school board president, effective at the conclusion of Monday night’s meeting.

The board meeting later got so heated, Tantlinger adjourned the meeting suddenly and left the room before anyone could second the motion, leaving audience members and some board members unsure of what to do next.

The board waited until the end of their regular meeting to hear comments from students, parents and community members.

Most audience members had concerns about the Warner Concepts LLC study that suggested consolidating middle and high school students into Ligonier Valley high and middle schools by fall 2010, which would close Laurel Valley Middle-High School.

Tantlinger attempted to stop New Florence citizen Mark Howard from speaking after six minutes — three minutes more than his allotted time — but Howard continued to talk over Tantlinger. Tantlinger tried to call a recess, but when he could not be heard over Howard, Tantlinger called for the adjournment and left the room.

Directors Kevin McLaughlin, Todd Martin and Kevin Pahach tried to continue the meeting, but the room erupted into chaos.

“This is uncharted territory,” Pahach said. “We’ll sit here and listen to you, but there does need to be some semblance of order.”

After taking a recess, upon the advice of Solicitor Dennis Rafferty, directors Pahach, McLaughlin, Martin, Bruce Robinson and John Maier returned, creating the quorum needed for the meeting to continue.

Those from the public were firmly held to the three-minute speaking rule as the 7 p.m. meeting continued until well after 10 p.m. The meeting did not end until no one else stood to speak.

Parents reiterated their concerns about busing children from as far as Seward to Ligonier Valley High School. Students would have to make the nearly 20-mile drive down Route 711, which is heavily used by coal trucks.

Other parents pleaded for other options, such as closing the administration building or consolidating Ligonier Valley high and middle schools, so Laurel Valley students didn’t have to change schools.

Still others said closing Laurel Valley would result in a staggering loss for the district’s northern communities.

Although those in support of the consolidation were the minority, some audience members said that their personal experiences with long bus rides weren’t that big of a deal.

“When I was in first grade, I had an hour-and-20-minute bus ride, and it’s not bad,” Ligonier Valley High School student Rachel Thomas said.

For now, the board has formed committees to look at several aspects of the study including transportation, cost and finding answers to many unanswered questions.

Board members will present their findings in October, and there will be a public hearing three months after that. No action can be taken until after the public hearing is held.

In other news, the school district accepted the resignation of Laurel Valley Middle-High School Principal David Blozowich, who will become the superintendent of United School District.

Pahach referred to the resignation as a “casualty” of the Warner study.

The board approved Ligonier Valley High School Principal Ronald Baldonieri to serve as principal of both schools until a decision about the consolidation is made.

(Original post)