A complaint filed with the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights accuses the Wissahickon School District of discriminating against the Ambler Latino community with its decision to close Mattison Avenue Elementary School.

It says much of the information leading up to and during hearings on the closure was in English only, and Spanish-speaking parents had no idea what was going on, leaving them with no voice in the decision.  

The complaint says it also has a negative impact on the many Latino residents who do not own vehicles because Mattison Avenue is walkable, while the alternative school is not.

Solicitor Scott Wolpert says the complaint is without merit, and the district will fight the allegations.