Saltsburg forfeit

[knowitall]

A lot of what you might think is Blairsville is actually Derry Area.

[LoneRanger]

There's businesses all around this place. Short drives to Greensburg, Latrobe, Indiana, Johnstown, and even Monroeville. Is this all old people in a retirement town? Seems like a nice place to live out of the city that's just far enough into the country. Yeah, tractor supply. Westinghouse. There's a lot of places for people to work. Something isn't right. Does the district send a lot to private schools somewhere? The Kiski School?

They don't send a lot to The Kiski School, but the ones that do go are their best athletes.  

[12HankQB]

A lot of what you might think is Blairsville is actually Derry Area.

No, I was looking at the district map, but they're central to a lot of stuff. They should be much bigger. Need a big development to open up.

[knowitall]

Most of the stuff is along route 22, most of which to the South and West is Derry Township, population about 16,000

[tubmill]

Knowitall, Where did the time go? I’m getting old. It just seems like yesterday that Blairsville was AA. LOL

[tubmill]

12HankQB, The businesses along the Route 22 corridor at Blairsville are supported by surrounding communities as well as Blairsville. It is closer for folks from Laurel Valley to patronize those stores than it is to go up the hill in Richland. Folks from Blacklick, Brenizer, Saltsburg, New Alex, Derry Twp, Armagh, East Wheatfield Twp, Robinson, West Wheatfield Twp, Conemaugh Twp. and Burrell Twp all patronize and support those businesses. Blairsville is a typical western PA town. There is an aging population. There is nothing to keep their young people there. The result is a declining student enrollment.

[tubmill]

Why is Blairsville so small? They have a Walmart, Sheetz, McDonald's, Taco Bell, Goodwill, Ford Dealership, Two golf courses, IRMC Urgicare, multiple large businesses. Is it just the size of the district?

Don’t forget Clems, Sansos, and Valley Dairy!

[bigben7]

Blairsville's problem is high school taxes. They are the 2nd highest in the county. The Blairsville side pays 65% of the total school budget and Saltsburg pays 35%. But 49% is spent on the Saltsburg end. They do not lose many athletes to Kiski Prep. I think 1 is there right now. I believe Blairsville would have more students and much better facilities if they didn't have the burden of supporting Saltsburg.

[12HankQB]

12HankQB, The businesses along the Route 22 corridor at Blairsville are supported by surrounding communities as well as Blairsville. It is closer for folks from Laurel Valley to patronize those stores than it is to go up the hill in Richland. Folks from Blacklick, Brenizer, Saltsburg, New Alex, Derry Twp, Armagh, East Wheatfield Twp, Robinson, West Wheatfield Twp, Conemaugh Twp. and Burrell Twp all patronize and support those businesses. Blairsville is a typical western PA town. There is an aging population. There is nothing to keep their young people there. The result is a declining student enrollment.

I was just inferring that there's enough job stability in the local area to support that district and those who move there. A slight change could make this area's population increase quickly.

[Manfred]

12HankQB, The businesses along the Route 22 corridor at Blairsville are supported by surrounding communities as well as Blairsville. It is closer for folks from Laurel Valley to patronize those stores than it is to go up the hill in Richland. Folks from Blacklick, Brenizer, Saltsburg, New Alex, Derry Twp, Armagh, East Wheatfield Twp, Robinson, West Wheatfield Twp, Conemaugh Twp. and Burrell Twp all patronize and support those businesses. Blairsville is a typical western PA town. There is an aging population. There is nothing to keep their young people there. The result is a declining student enrollment.

There's Wyo Tech.