Yet again, Montoursville Area School District officials mulled over the prospect of closing Loyalsock Valley Elementary School.

District Superintendent Dan Taormina advised the school board at its recent meeting that a decision, which comes down to a financial issue, is at hand.

Plans have included closing Loyalsock Valley and expanding space at Lyter Elementary School to accommodate all elementary students.

But he said other possibilities are out there, including avoiding any building additions at Lyter to save on costs.

With continued declining student enrollment, it’s quite possible, he said, to locate all elementary students at Lyter in coming years.

There exist four empty classrooms at Lyter and at least three at The Valley, he noted.

Enrollment for the two schools is 380 at Lyter and 195 at Loyalsock Valley.

“We can’t afford to operate two buildings with declining enrollment,” Taormina said.

Ron Snell, of Lower Manor Road and a former board member, suggested closing Lyter and keeping Loyalsock Valley open.

He said there has been overwhelming support in the community to not close the school.

Board member Daniel Albert questioned the practicality of keeping Loyalsock Valley open.

It would mean, he said, even higher taxes for property owners.

Cathy Burns, of Muncy, who owns real estate in the district, urged the board not to close the school.

“That school is a country school. It has a lot of potential,” she said.

SiteLogIQ earlier this year recommended the district close Loyalsock Valley after conducting studies on both elementary schools.

Taormina said the public needs to have all the information on the issue and suggested a series of town meetings be held to further consider the matter.