The Pleasant Valley School Board has scheduled a hearing at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11 for the public to comment on the possible closing of Polk Elementary School

Superintendent Carole Geary said, "It's unfortunate that we have to consider closing another building, but with declining enrollment and funding from the state, we have to look at every cost."The district has closed Eldred and Chestnuthill elementariness in recent years.The board must wait 90 days from the date of the hearing to make a decision.Failed policiesThe board approved (7-0) a policy revision for the privacy of medical records, but two proposed policy revisions failed to pass. Resolutions about membership and one on public participation in board meetings failed with a vote of 4-3, with Susan Kresge, Thomas Murphy and H. Charles Hoffman voting "No."Board member James Spinola said he suggested the revision to the membership policy that a board member should notify the board President or the Superintendent of reason for his/her absence before the meeting or in the case of an emergency no later than 48 hours after the meeting.Also that in the event that a board member does not attend two consecutive meeting, he/she must provide a statement from a physician why that member was unable to attend, or a statement from the employer of the member, which would be acceptable to the board.Also, if the board member fails to attend two consecutive meetings without proper notification, the board president, vice-president or superintendent shall forward a letter to the board member inquiring whether he or she intends to resume attendance of meetings beginning with the next scheduled meeting.Spinola also suggested the revision regarding public participation in board meetings. The policy has been to allow public comment at the beginning and before adjournment of the meeting at the appropriate times indicated on the agenda.Spinola would have liked to see that public comment also be accepted during the discussion period of agenda items after being recognized by the presiding officer believing this would give the public more opportunity to raise concerns.Board President Thomas Murphy said he was not in favor of the revision because, "as written now it is flawed. I don't think it would be conducive to a well run meeting."Spinola disagreed.In a statement he made after the meeting, Spinola said, "Each of these modifications required an affirmative vote of five members so the four votes cast did not change the policy. It's unfortunate that a small minority of board members (three) feel elected board members can attend meetings when they feel like it rather than on a regular basis to conduct the business of the district."It's even more unfortunate this same minority continues to limit public participation at board meetings. It's my hope that the new board will recognize the importance of board member oversight and public input and pass these policy revisions in the future."Geary presented certificates of appreciation to four school board directors for their long term service: MiChelle Palmer, 21 years; H. Charles Hoffman, 20 years; Thomas Murphy, 16 years; Susan Kresge, 16 years; Harvey Frable, 8 years.