Scotland School Threatened with Closure
On March 11, Scotland School for Veterans’ Children (SSVC) supporters held a rally on the Pennsylvania Capitol steps in Harrisburg, and overflowed a Senate hearing on the fate of this historic, 115-year old residential education program. During three hours of impassioned testimony, alumni, parents, students, and military veterans spoke of what would happen if this lifeline were taken away from students, families, and communities next fall, as is currently planned. Cases were also made comparing costs and statistics of juvenile detention facilities. Critics cite SSVC’s high costs per student and below average test scores as reasons to close the school. Notably, on March 18, State Representative Rob Kauffman (R-Chambersburg) defended SSVC, asking the House Appropriations Committee to continue its funding: “The closure of the school demonstrates the lack of planning and foresight…by this administration. There is no plan for the displaced faculty and staff of the school [and]…for the 168-acre campus in the middle of Scotland. And there certainly is no plan for the almost 300 students who would be devastated by the closure of the school.”
More Info:
- Advocates of Scotland School protest – The Philadelphia Inquirer 03/12/09
- Scotland School supporters take fight to Harrisburg – PennLive 03/12/09