Statement by Senator Lisa Baker on Proposed Closure
 of the Scranton State School for the Deaf

Dallas – Following a meeting between members of the Northeast Legislative Caucus, the state Department of Education and officials of the Scranton State School for the Deaf, Senator Lisa Baker made the following statement:

"Governor Rendell's decision is a wrong one, and the way the Department of Education wants to carry it out is seriously flawed.  They announced this closure with no plan in place.  It is very unsettling that parents are being forced to make decisions now, with no real assurances that their children's unique needs will be met.

It is not the fault of the students or the school that Pennsylvania has a budget problem.  The department did not offer a convincing argument about deficiencies in the program. 

I support Senator Mellow's proposal to halt the closings of the Scranton State School for the Deaf until a thorough legislative study and review can be conducted."