Families and business owners were left in tears as the Downingtown Area School District voted to begin the eminent domain process last month to create room for a new school, writes Chris O’Connell for FOX 29.

The Gillilands, who live in a six-bedroom Victorian in Downingtown, had previously received a notice that the school district wanted their home. So with their future uncertain, they had to stop taking in foster children.

“I really don’t want to lose my home,” said homeowner Hunter Gilliland.

However, the fate of their home is now out of their hands. With the eminent domain process having begun, the district can now start purchasing private property. This includes homes and businesses off Brandywine Avenue in East Caln Township, where the family lives.

Despite initiating the process, the district still does not yet have a time frame for when the new school will be built.

“We are going to need to build another school in the future, so it is just determining what the best course of action would be,” said school district official Jennifer Shealy.

Read more about the Downingtown Area School District at FOX 29 here.

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