A Horsham couple is battling the Hatboro-Horsham School District over its plans to turn the site of the former Limekiln Simmons School into housing, writes Maddie Hanna for The Philadelphia Inquirer.
John Ambler, a descendant of Quakers for whom Ambler is named, and his wife, Peggy, live on a farm in Horsham that borders land donated to the Hatboro-Horsham School District by a fellow Quaker Dorothea Simmons nearly 100 years ago.
The arrangement was mostly harmonious up until seven years ago. The Amblers have spent that time in court contesting the plan made by the district to sell the land to a developer who plans to build homes there. The couple argues that such a transfer would violate Simmons’ agreement to donate the site for education.
So far, the district has won the battle in the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court as well as an appeal in the state Supreme Court. If the Amblers’ latest appeal is rejected, the sale will move forward.
Meanwhile, the couple have been mobilizing supporters to strengthen their case and inviting them to speak at school board meetings.
Read more the history of the Limekiln Simmons school property and the ongoing efforts by neighbors to stop a housing development there in The Philadelphia Inquirer.
