The Extended School Year (ESY) program offered to special education students who qualify at Mars Area School District will remain at the elementary school for students in grades K-6, after parents spoke up about a proposed change in location at a board meeting Monday night.

The program, which usually serves about 50 students in total with 35 in grades K-6, was previously scheduled to be moved to the Mars Area High School location.

Middle and high school students in the program will still participate at the high school this year, but the younger students will remain at the elementary school.

The program typically runs from July 5 through July 28, Monday through Thursday, Mars special education director Travis Mineard explained. On Wednesday morning, he confirmed that the program would not be at the high school for younger children.

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