And what about the calls from Hi-Nella residents who don't want their students leaving the district?, Collingswood school officials asked.
So, instead of an answer, the Ni-Nella contingent at last week's session got only the promise of another meeting - not yet scheduled - to gather more information. And the residents from the borough of just over 1,000 were left frustrated and wondering when they will ever know the fate of their students.
``I think they're just trying to brush us off,'' said Frank Fanelle, one of the most vocal crusaders in the push to get the Hi-Nella students released. ``What will be accomplished in another meeting?''
Theresa Tally, Hi-Nella school business administrator, had mixed feelings about yet another meeting. ``As a parent, I was disappointed that a decision wasn't made that night. This has been a stressful time,'' she said in an interview.
But she added that ``as a board secretary, I realize they cannot make a full decision until they are ready to.''
The borough, sandwiched between Somerdale and Stratford, has no school and sends its students to Oaklyn through ninth grade and to Collingswood through 12th grade.
This year, 15 students attend Collingswood; next year there will be 17. Many parents want their students to attend a closer school, such as Sterling Regional in Magnolia.
The Sterling Board of Education voted last year to let Hi-Nella students enroll there. But if Collingswood were to release Hi-Nella's students, Oaklyn would have to release the town's ninth graders as well.
Even Woodlynne has an opinion on the matter.
Edward Barrett, a Woodlynne school board member who sits on the Collingswood board, said at Monday's meeting that he was opposed to the move. Barrett represents the more than 120 Woodlynne students sent to Collingswood.
``Let us go, [too], so we can seek another arrangement,'' he said, responding to a Hi-Nella resident at the meeting. ``At one time we had an open invitation to go to Gloucester City, but we weren't allowed to go. What's good for you is good for us.''
Lee Troutman, the newly appointed Collingswood board president, defended the decision to delay a vote, saying the group wants to be fair to all districts involved.
``We are going to give you a final, definitive answer in May or June,'' said Troutman.
