Members of the Butler School Board are early in the process of reviewing proposed consolidation plans that could close up to seven elementary schools.

Thomas and Williamson, a consulting firm from Pittsburgh, on Wednesday presented three recommended consolidation plans to the school district.

Each of the plans would close the Broad Street, Center Avenue, Clearfield, Emily Brittain, Meridian, and Oakland elementary schools, while one also would close Summit. Two plans move fourth, fifth and sixth graders to the junior high school, while one would keep fourth graders at the elementary school level.

Under each plan seventh, eighth and ninth graders would attend the intermediate high school and sophomores, juniors and seniors would attend the high school.

The consolidation plans are estimated to save the district $4.5 million to $5.7 million per year out of a $100 million budget.

Board member Al Vavro said consolidation is needed to restore programs previously cut by the board because of financial reasons.

Vavro said not using the schools in an effective manner is costing money that should be going to education.

“We need this to improve our educational programs,” he said.

Member Bill Halle said he has concerns about what the consolidation plans would do to the city.

“I have great concerns,” he said.

Halle said the initial meeting on the plan was complex and the board needs more time to review its options.

“There was way too much information in a short period of time,” he said.

Halle said one of the things he would like to do is keep the fourth grade at the elementary school level and move the fifth and sixth graders to the junior high school.

Board member Jim Keffalas said he has a major concern about transportation with the consolidation plan.

“Even 45 minutes on a bus is too long,” he said. “That was a red flag to me.”

Keffalas said he would like the board to consider adding buses to help reduce the amount of time students would spend on the bus.

“Say instead of one bus making eight stops, we have two buses that make four stops,” he said.

Keffalas said there is a lot to be discussed, but said he is leaning toward supporting keeping fourth graders at the elementary school level and moving fifth and sixth graders to the junior high school building.

However, he said he would want the school to be made “friendlier” to younger children through different measures, including possibly turning the asphalt parking lot used for recess into a grass lot.

Member John Conradsaid he disliked each of the three recommendations presented.

“The public has made it quite clear they want to have a (kindergarten through sixth grade) district,” he said.

Conrad said the school district should consider closing the junior high school and a few elementary schools, while keeping the elementary level unified through sixth grade.

“I think people will be much more accepting of that,” he said. “Butler has a strong desire for K-6 and is willing to pay for it.”

Member Karen Callihan said she is waiting to hear more information on the plans before making any sort of decision.

“I’m still taking in a lot of information,” she said. “We have to put a lot of thought into this.”

School board President Don Pringle, and members Carmen Bianco and Neil Convery did not answer questions on the consolidation following Monday night’s board meeting.

Member David Korn did not attend the meeting.