The Rush Building, a K-12 setting that offers alternate education, regular education, special education and school to work programs, was a source of controversy this year.

In November, the Rush Township Zoning Hearing Board listened to testimony from both the township and Tamaqua Area School District over the district's appeal of a notice of violation concerning the change in use of a former elementary school in the township. After hearing all the testimony, no decision was made.The hearing came after an injunction request that supervisors filed in Schuylkill County Court in September to prevent the district from changing the use of the former Rush Township Elementary School in Hometown to an academy was rejected.In July, the zoners met to consider the district's appeal of a notice of violation issued by township zoning officer Bill McMullen. The township contended the district's proposed use did not comply with zoning regulations.Following testimony, the board unanimously voted to withdraw the violation.The district then asked the Pennsylvania Department of Education to allow it to change the school to an academy.The township's zoning hearing board will meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday, at which time a written decision will be made.