A hearing that had been scheduled for Monday to make the first court arguments related to a group of Wheatland residents' attempt to leave Farrell Area School District has been postponed.

Joann Jofery, the attorney for Wheatland's Educational Alternatives Taskforce, instead asked to hold a status conference that day to allow her more time to prepare, and so that more court time will be allotted for the hearing, which originally had been set for Tuesday.

James Nevant II, school district solicitor, said he agreed to the change, which was approved by Mercer County Common Pleas President Judge Francis J. Fornelli, for the same reason.

"We're going to need considerably more time than what was initially allotted," he said.

Forty-five minutes for the hearing had been set aside in the judge's schedule.

"As the case develops, you get a better handle on it," Nevant said.

At the status conference, the attorneys and the judge likely will discuss a new date for the hearing, Nevant said.

The conference will be held in the judge's chambers and will not be public, he said.

"Nothing will be happening in court," he said.

WhEAT has asked to be allowed to leave Farrell and join West Middlesex Area School District.

Under state law, WhEAT must have a majority of the taxable inhabitants of the borough sign a petition asking for the change.

If Fornelli determines WhEAT has met that burden and other technical matters, he would ask the state secretary of education to rule on the merits of WhEAT's request.