Plans to open up an alternative middle and high school program in East Falls continue to receive staunch opposition from some community members, with civic leaders threatening to take legal action should the proposal move forward.

Delaware Valley High School, a private, for-profit learning institution catering to students with disciplinary problems or those requiring special academic assistance or emotional services, is planning to move its flagship operation from Northeast Philadelphia to East Falls. The school also has a campus in Bucks County.

The plan is to eventually accommodate about 400 students on the site, a converted office building on the 4300 block of Ridge Avenue.

Some residents have expressed dismay at the fact that school officials have seemingly shunned concerns, which include worries about increased traffic, and a potential to hamper revitalization efforts along the commercial corridor.

During a community council meeting last week, president Adam Carangi said his group had offered to speak with school officials about possible alternative locations in the neighborhood, if, in fact, the goal was to stay in East Falls, but suggestions were rebuffed.

"We are fighting this, currently," Carangi said during the meeting.

The community council has launched a letter-writing campaign and petition drive geared toward getting local and state officials behind its cause. At least one elected official has been receptive. Councilman Curtis Jones Jr. (D-4th dist.), who initially said he might be open to having the school in his district, is now urging school officials to examine alternative sites. In a July 29 letter to School Reform Commission Chairman Robert L. Archie Jr. that was posted on the community council's Web site, Jones said he remains "greatly concerned" about the possible relocation to Ridge Avenue. One of his concerns has to do with the fact that state code requires there be 78 square feet per student. But since the building measures 24,489 square feet, this would mean it is 6,700 square feet short of compliance.

Another concern of Jones' has to do with DVHS officials' allegedly not having been open to discussing alternative locations, he stated in the letter.

Anastasia Karloutsos, chief external affairs officer for DVHS, said the square footage issue was moot, since the measurements calculated by Jones concern public schools only; DVHS is private, and, as such, operates under different guidelines. She could not provide the exact square footage per student required by private institutions.

Karloutsos also responded to Jones' concerns about DVHS not examining possible alternative sites. The school did look at other locations, with DVHS board president David Schulick personally visiting the sites; they were deemed not feasible, she said, and did not meet the school's needs. They would also not be able to be rehabbed in time for the start of school, which for DVHS is Sept. 14; public school begins Sept. 8. She added that the contract by the Philadelphia School District is site-specific, meaning it would be awarded for the Ridge Avenue site only.

"We have an obligation ... that we have to be up and running for September," Karloutsos said.

NOT MUCH SAY IN IT

Civic leaders claim one reason the school has not fully involved neighbors in the process could be linked to the fact that no zoning variance was required for the school's construction.

Community Council member Meg Greenfield said she remains opposed to the plans because she envisions the school's placement hampering revitalization efforts along Ridge Avenue.

"We're not anti-school, we're just opposed to where they want to put this school," she said.

Karloutsos disputed that assertion, saying there has been successful commercial development near the school's former Northeast Philly site.

"Please don't look at us as this negative force in the community," Karloutsos said. "We're actually an asset."

Karloutsos said in addition to a school, DVHS envisions itself being a neighborhood hub. The plan is to open up the campus to residents, allowing use of its computer labs, and offering arts and music program for neighborhood kids during the weekends.

DVHS's goal, she said, "is to really engage the community and provide services."