PETITION TO STAY THE DEMOLITION VOTE FOR HYDE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

We, the undersigned residents, parents, and stakeholders of the Moon Area School District, respectfully request that the School Board immediately stay any vote or action related to the demolition of any portion of Richard J. Hyde Elementary School until full transparency, cost analysis, and public engagement have occurred.

On April 14, 2025, the Board publicly discussed repurposing Hyde Elementary School for a Life Skills transition program serving students, ages 18-22. This was presented as a community-focused initiative with potential to reduce transportation costs, keep services local, and generate revenue by serving out-of-district students.

However, just two weeks later, on April 28, 2025, the Board voted to solicit bids for partial demolition of the Hyde building—without:

• A formal vote to approve the proposed repurposing plan,

• Any public explanation of what areas are being demolished or why,

• Cost estimates or comparisons between renovation and demolition,

• Or public documentation justifying the need for demolition to support the Life Skills program.

This shift from repurposing to partial demolition, without further public input or supporting data, raises concerns on both procedural and substantive grounds.

COMMUNITY IMPACT - 

Educational Space and Growth Needs:
Moon Area is a growing district. Educational space is a long-term investment. Demolishing viable instructional space — especially one previously supported by four board members — may limit future options for district expansion or academic programming.

Lack of Transparency and Supporting Evidence:
There has been no publicly shared evidence or plan showing why demolition is necessary for the Life Skills program, nor how the remaining structure will meet accessibility or instructional needs. Major changes to public property must be backed by documentation, stakeholder input, and a clear long-term vision.

Fiduciary and Environmental Responsibility:
Demolishing a structurally sound building without a complete cost-benefit analysis may conflict with the board’s fiduciary duty to taxpayers. Additionally, environmental concerns regarding demolition have been raised and must be publicly addressed before moving forward.

Impact on Extracurricular Programming:
The Hyde facility and its grounds—including athletic fields—support extracurricular and recreational activities. Demolition may result in unintended disruptions to programs such as soccer, which have already faced challenges due to limited field space.

Questionable Governance and Decision-Making:
The current superintendent’s role in this decision-making process has been questioned by members of the public. Concerns have been raised about whether he should be in a position to influence long-term planning decisions during this transitional period. The lack of confidence in district leadership makes transparency and public input all the more critical.

LEGAL & PROCEDURAL ISSUES - 

Violation of the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act (65 Pa.C.S. §§ 701–716):
All public agency decisions must be deliberated in an open meeting. Approving a demolition solicitation without a transparent and detailed presentation or documented public discussion may violate these requirements and undermine public trust.

Failure to Present a Facilities Plan or District Wide Facilities Study:
As per PDE guidelines, any plan to close, demolish, or repurpose an instructional facility should be documented and submitted. If Hyde is still intended to serve educational purposes, any demolition activity must align with an approved plan and publicly available rationale. This decision should have been made with a comparison to the closure of the other elementary schools.

OUR REQUEST - 

We call on the Board to:
Stay all actions and votes related to demolition of Hyde Elementary School. Hold a public session to present renovation plans, costs, and alternatives before moving forward. Disclose all supporting documents and analyses, including facility needs for the proposed Life Skills program. Engage the community in meaningful dialogue, ensuring public trust and accountability in all stages of the decision-making process.

Let us preserve Hyde Elementary until we are confident in the best path forward—one that serves students, respects taxpayer resources, and reflects the voices of our entire community.

Respectfully,
The Undersigned