ADAMS TWP — The Mars School Board and Rex Energy will team up to ensure the safety of students and staff as the Geyer well project moves forward.

That was the word at Tuesday night’s school board meeting from board President Dayle Ferguson, who said Rex Energy official Joseph Negaard contacted the district on Thursday afternoon.

She said Negaard confirmed that the Middlesex Township Zoning Hearing Board’s recent decision to uphold a drilling-related zoning amendment will allow operations to continue at the Geyer wells, which are just more than a half mile from the Mars schools.

Site preparation at the Geyer farm had begun last fall, when a challenge to the zoning amendment stopped all work there until the zoning board made its decision.

Ferguson said school officials and Adams and Middlesex supervisors on Friday received the first in a series of ongoing, periodic updates on the activity at the five wells.

She said the update, and all updates received from Rex Energy regarding the Geyer wells, will be posted on the district’s website so the community can get general information on the well operations as they proceed.

“In the meantime, the district will immediately initiate several important actions,” Ferguson said.

First, the district will continue to build upon the district’s preparedness plan, incorporating updated information and a revised time line as details of the well operations become available, Ferguson said.

That includes a thorough review of all district safety protocols and procedures during the transition between exiting Superintendent William Pettigrew to the new superintendent, Wesley Shipley, over the summer.

Next, she said the district will continually revisit the preparedness plan as needed with a team including school administrators, department directors, law enforcement, emergency responders, and Rex Energy officials.

“These internal conversations will allow those with direct responsibility, key operational experience, and specific expertise to apply their knowledge and do their jobs efficiently and effectively,” Ferguson said.

She said the board will be kept apprised of the internal process, which is consistent with other safety initiatives like live shooter training and fire drills.

Ferguson said that in addition to being valuable resources, the professionals overseeing the situation care deeply about students, staff, and the community.

“The district leadership and staff — and all others involved in this important process — are committed to creating a safe learning and work environment and fully recognize the importance of being prepared in the event of an emergency situation,” Ferguson said. “We all take this responsibility very seriously.”

Lastly, Ferguson said in the interest of transparency and to address safety concerns expressed by parents and others, district officials are committed to communicating highlights of its emergency response plan as the new school year approaches.

“In the context of the then-current well pad status, we will share important information that will be helpful to parents,” Ferguson said.

She also said Rex Energy officials have demonstrated their willingness to adjust operations to accommodate the district, and to work cooperatively with school officials toward safety and efficiency.

“We look forward to continuing our relationship with the same level of cooperation, access, and attention,” Ferguson said of Rex Energy.

Michelle Obid of the Mars parent group that has opposed the Geyer wells because of their proximity to the schools, said she is glad to hear that the board is committed to transparency regarding the well operations.

“That is certainly a divergent path from where we were several months ago,” Obid said.

But she said instead of strictly internal meetings and conversations, the community should be invited to participate as well.

“That would be the best form of transparency,” Obid said.

She also lamented that while more than 40 buses would be required to evacuate the district’s 3,200 students plus staff, only eight drivers are on call.

Obid said the situation would cause a gap and lag time in getting everyone away from the schools in the event of an emergency at the wells.

Ferguson said district officials will have more details on the matter closer to the start of the new school year in the fall.

She said Rex Energy’s well updates are available at www.marsk12.org, and questions also can be submitted to Rex via a link on the site.