ADAMS TWP — Parents and residents opposed to the six Marcellus Shale gas wells planned for a farm near the Mars School District’s five schools were told the subject is closed at the school board level.

Charles Clark, a Mars parent and outspoken adversary of the wells to be placed on the Denny Road farm of Bob and Kim Geyer, told the board at Tuesday night’s meeting that he was disappointed with a letter to the editor that recently appeared in the Butler Eagle.

Clark said the letter written by school board member Gordon Marburger gave the impression that the entire school board last month rejected horizontal gas drilling under school property because of potential land title issues discovered by district solicitor Tom King.

The board on March 11 voted against an offer from Rex Energy to lease land under school property for $1 million for the gas rights.

Marburger’s letter told of that discovery by King, which was not discussed in detail at the meeting last month at which the horizontal drilling was rejected.

While some board members gave various reasons last month for voting against the drilling, Clark said residents who read Marburger’s letter would think the board’s vote was based solely on the title issue matter.

“I know that’s not your opinion, but that’s what is out there,” Clark said.

He requested that the school board write a letter to the editor stating that the Geyer wells’ proximity to the school was the board’s main reason for rejecting the horizontal drilling.

He said that he and others are trying to educate the Adams Township supervisors regarding the public’s rights on drilling, and attempting to have a safety zone created around the Mars schools.

He said the group also is working with state legislators and is in contact with the state Department of Environmental Protection regarding the Geyer wells.

He said the group is not opposed to shale gas drilling.

“We strongly believe there are places for this sort of industrial activity, and near our schools is not one of them,” Clark said.

Geneticist Patrice Tomcik gave the board a document detailing the harmful effects of unconventional gas drilling on children that includes research from a Harvard toxicologist, a Yale scientist, and a pediatrician who studies environmental effects on children.

While Marburger did not comment on his letter, school board President Dayle Ferguson said the board only voted on the horizontal drilling under school property.

“This board had one issue, which was narrow in scope compared to the ongoing conversation in community,” Ferguson said.

She said the board made its decision publicly and by considering all sides of the issue.

“The decision has been made and the matter is closed in this room,” Ferguson said.

She said board members have many other important matters to which they must turn their attention.

‘The matter that is before this board has been resolved,” she said.

Ferguson explained that a letter to the editor from the entire board regarding the potential dangers of the Geyer wells would be inappropriate because individual board members have varying thoughts on the matter.

She said while the matter is closed, individual board members can participate in community action regarding the wells if they so choose.

Ferguson also said that the district’s administration team is staying on top of safety matters concerning the wells and their proximity to the schools.

“We appreciate your passion,” Ferguson said. “We know you care as much about the children as we do.”