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Maytown Elementary School, one of the oldest elementary schools in Pennsylvania, could so close its doors after more than 150 years in operation.

Donegal administrators and board members plan to hold public hearings Jan. 17 on closing the historic school along with the district’s Kindergarten Center.

The two hearings — required under state law — will begin at 6:30 p.m. at Maytown Elementary School.

“The recommendation to close two of the district’s elementary schools is a decision made after much deliberation,” Superintendent Susan Ursprung said Tuesday in an email. “We believe that the time has come for such a request.”

According to its history on the school’s website, Maytown started as an elementary school in 1860.

It became Maytown Central High School in 1892 and Maytown High School in 1935.

Maytown has been praised for its blend of wooden floors — original to the school — and modern amenities including its computer lab.

Unfortunately, time, age and cost have caught up with the school.

“At both schools, but especially at the Maytown Elementary School due to its history, one can feel a special spirit and see the beautiful traditions that exist each and every day. It is my belief that much of the best of both schools can be incorporated into our realigned primary and intermediate schools,” Ursprung said.

Donegal is in full swing into a districtwide grade realignment plan and renovation project that proposes to consolidate all the district’s classes into three remaining school buildings and a new high school under construction along Koser Road. The opening is scheduled for this summer.

“The closing of the Donegal Kindergarten Center and the Maytown Elementary School will result in a realignment of our elementary grade levels. A primary school will support our K-2 students, and an intermediate school will support our students in grades 3-6,” Ursprung said.

Once the district’s new high school opens, the current high school would be renovated to house grades 7 and 8, which was the most the school could handle based on its size and state education guidelines.

“This realignment promotes a stronger focus on primary and intermediate instructional needs. At the primary level, early literacy will be a key component, and at the intermediate level increasing academic expectations will be fostered while keeping the whole child in mind,” she said.

Ursprung said the consolidation aims to increase collaboration and target professional development among teachers.

She said that library and technology resources would be combined to reduce costs. Lower costs also are expected through realignment, she said.

The fate of Maytown and Kindergarten Center buildings has not been determined, but district officials last month suggested they could be sold at a future date.