Message from the Superintendent: Proposed Grade Level Realignment for East York and Indian Rock Elementary Schools

February 3, 2026

 

Good morning, York Suburban Staff, Families, and Community Members.

Under our original timeline, construction of a new York Suburban Intermediate School would have begun in December 2024, and this month, I would be providing an update on our plans to welcome students and staff to their new school in August 2026. Sadly, despite the District’s efforts, Township approvals have not been granted, preventing construction and delaying the planned opening of a new facility.

While construction of a new intermediate school remains the District’s preferred and best long-term solution, we cannot, and will not, allow the Township delays to limit the support, resources, and opportunities our students need today. Last night, the Board of School Directors discussed a proposal for a grade level realignment at the intermediate school level, which would bring all York Suburban third grade students together at Indian Rock, with fourth and fifth grade students together at East York, beginning with the 2026–2027 school year. In other words, we are continuing to move forward with the District’s plan to bring grade levels from the two schools together, but we will be using our existing facilities rather than the new school.

For those interested in reviewing last night’s Board presentation and discussion, the following resources are available.

• Board Meeting Livestream of the Presentation
• Presentation Slides

The realignment does not replace the plan to build a new intermediate school, nor does it signal a change in the District’s commitment to that outcome. Rather, it is a short-term operational response to conditions that would not have existed had construction been permitted to proceed on schedule. While we continue to pursue a legal appeal of the Township’s decision, we also have a responsibility to address the learning conditions our students and staff are experiencing today.

Over the past decade, the academic, social, and emotional needs of students have continued to grow and evolve. Meeting those needs requires close collaboration among educators and consistent access to specialized supports. Our current intermediate structure makes it increasingly difficult to deliver instruction and services as effectively as we know our students require.

In addition, under the current framework, Indian Rock Elementary has reached its functional capacity. Enrollment growth and expanded programming have led to shared instructional and office spaces and, in some cases, to the use of areas not originally designed for teaching and learning. While staff have worked creatively and flexibly to support students, these conditions affect daily learning and are not sustainable. Under the original construction timeline, these challenges would have been resolved with the opening of the new school. Since construction has been delayed, we must still address these existing challenges, but in another way.

The grade-level realignment is grounded in what we know about effective instruction and student support. Bringing teachers of the same grade level together under one roof strengthens collaboration, aligns instruction, improves access to services, and allows staff to respond more effectively to student needs.

The realignment also provides many of the educational benefits associated with a new intermediate school, including stronger instructional alignment, more targeted student support, and more efficient use of staffing and resources. It also positions the District to move forward more smoothly once the appeal is resolved, without the additional disruption of merging separate school communities later.

Importantly, the realignment represents a fiscally responsible path forward. Although other alternatives were explored, several were not sustainable within the District’s current financial parameters. This recommendation balances educational priorities with responsible stewardship of our resources, allowing us to act now without compromising the District’s long-term financial health.

At this time, the Board has not taken any official action. Next steps will be guided by the outcome of the regular meeting on Monday, February 23, when the Board will be asked to take action on the proposal.

If the recommendation moves forward, you can anticipate additional information through a series of in-person meetings for families and staff. These meetings will provide you with an opportunity to better understand how the transition would impact students, staff, programs, and daily operations. Throughout the process, the District is committed to clear communication and thoughtful support to make the adjustment as easy as possible for all involved.

I want to end by acknowledging how deeply our families, staff, community, and School Board care about York Suburban students and their learning. That shared commitment is what guides every decision we make, and it’s why this discussion about our intermediate schools matters so much. It’s also one of the many things that make York Suburban such a special place.

Thank you for your continued confidence and patience as we navigate the next steps.

Sincerely,

Scott T. Krauser, Ed.D.
Superintendent of Schools
skrauser@yssd.org