News Summary
The Shaler Area School District is holding a community forum to discuss its proposed plan called ‘Building for Tomorrow,’ which involves the closure of Shaler Area Elementary School. The forum is scheduled for September 29 at Shaler Area High School. The plan includes relocating fourth and fifth graders to primary schools and sixth graders to the middle school, aiming to enhance the educational experience. Community members are encouraged to engage in the discussion regarding the future of their local schools.
Shaler, Pennsylvania – The Shaler Area School District is set to hold a community forum to discuss its proposed plan, titled “Building for Tomorrow,” which includes the closure of Shaler Area Elementary School. The forum will take place on Monday, September 29, at 6 p.m. in the auditorium at Shaler Area High School.
The key component of the plan is to close Shaler Area Elementary School, located on Scott Avenue in Shaler. The district aims to sell the school property for redevelopment. Currently, Shaler Area Elementary serves students in fourth through sixth grades.
Under the proposed changes, fourth and fifth-grade students will be relocated to the district’s four primary schools: Burchfield, Marzolf, Reserve, and Scott. These schools currently serve students from kindergarten through third grade. In addition, sixth-grade students will move to Shaler Area Middle School, which currently accommodates seventh and eighth grades.
The realignment aims to provide a more cohesive educational experience by allowing students to remain at one school from kindergarten through fifth grade, thereby minimizing the number of transitions and enhancing both learning and social development. The district emphasizes a plan to maintain a neighborhood identity in the four primary schools, fostering strong community ties.
Prior discussions regarding school closures included potentially closing Reserve Primary School, which has faced opposition from some residents. The Shaler Area School District remains committed to keeping Burchfield, Marzolf, Reserve, and Scott as K-5 neighborhood elementary schools.
As part of the transition plan, no students will be moving into the elementary school for the 2026-27 school year. Current third graders will continue at their neighborhood schools, while rising sixth and seventh graders will transition directly to the middle school starting in June 2027. This phased approach is designed to ensure a smooth transition, providing stability for families and affording the district time to prepare for instructional programming and staffing adjustments.
Furthermore, a decision concerning the swimming pool at the elementary school must be made within the next two years. Options under consideration include evaluating the pool’s cost and benefit, determining future locations for a district pool, and exploring rental options for student-athletes. The swimming pool will remain operational until the end of 2027.
Residents with inquiries about the plan or the upcoming forum can contact the district at 412-429-1200, ext. 2801. For those unable to attend the community forum on September 29, a recording will be made available on the district’s website.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- TribLive: Shaler Area Plan Calls for Closing Elementary School
- Wikipedia: Shaler Area School District
- TribLive: Board Hopefuls Vying for Seats in Shaler Area School District
- Google Search: Shaler Area School District
- TribLive Community: Monroeville Times Express
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Pennsylvania
Author: STAFF HERE INDIANAPOLIS WRITER
The INDIANAPOLIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREIndianapolis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Indianapolis, Marion County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Indianapolis 500, Indy Jazz Fest, and the Indiana State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Indy Chamber and Visit Indy, plus leading businesses in motorsports and healthcare that power the local economy such as Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IU Health. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Indiana's dynamic landscape.
