On Tuesday, staff reported that Seneca Valley School District is being proactive about new housing developments planned for the area and how they are preparing for the growth in student population that comes with them.

John Demkowicz, district transportation director, told the school board members at their Monday meeting that more than six housing developments are in various stages of approval or development in Jackson Township.

He said the largest is Creekside Manor, a townhome neighborhood planned for an area off Mercer Road near the Connoquenessing Creek. Another large plan in the works is Walnut Ridge, a neighborhood of single-family homes off Tollgate School Road.

Tracy Vitale, school district superintendent, said a demographic study last year revealed that the district could see its total students reach 8,000 in the next five years.

By alerting the public that they are preparing for more students in the coming years, they’re showing that they have the students in mind at every second.

Arguably, one of the biggest factors in learning is class size. Teachers aren’t superheroes, and smaller class sizes ensure they can get to everyone throughout the day.

If a student feels lost in the shuffle, that’s where stress and academic decline begins.

Vitale assured that because administrators are being proactive about the potential growth, it will not cause an increase in class sizes.

It’s encouraging to see development, even more so when it won’t have an adverse effect on our students.

We commend the Seneca Valley School District for their actions, and can’t wait to see them grow along with the community.

— CM