School District Fights Data Centers Near Classrooms

The Valley View School District has intensified its opposition to data center developments near its educational facilities. The district filed a land-use appeal in county court challenging a developer's assertion that its Project Scott campus should be automatically approved due to a procedural issue. This legal action marks the fourth such move by the district in less than a week.

This appeal is the latest in a series of legal challenges by Valley View's legal counsel. The district is seeking legal standing to join ongoing battles against Archbald's zoning for data centers. Hearings are scheduled for September 3 to determine if the district can intervene in existing legal disputes.

The proposed data centers are situated approximately half a mile from Valley View's intermediate school and a mile from its middle and high schools. Concerns raised include student safety, transportation, emergency preparedness, and environmental effects.

Developers have plans for nearly 100 data centers across more than a dozen campuses in Lackawanna County. A significant concentration is planned for Archbald's Eynon Jermyn Road corridor, an area already featuring 30 data centers and a proposed power plant.

The legal disputes stem from allegations of procedural errors and perceived "gamesmanship" in the approval process. Valley View argues that deemed approvals are disfavored and that developers must act in good faith. Resident groups support the school district's intervention, highlighting the potential impact on students and the community.