Reacting to a recent newspaper story in which Princeton Mayor Liz Lempert is quoted as possibly supporting the Princeton Public Schools’ bid to obtain the campus of Westminster Choir College, members of the Westminster community took to social media last week to express their dismay.

But Ms. Lempert said this week that her comments did not mean she is against keeping Westminster in Princeton. That is the outcome that members of The Coalition to Save Westminster Choir College in Princeton are hoping for, as Rider University, which has owned Westminster for 25 years, seeks a buyer for the Princeton choral academy and its 20-plus-acre campus. The school district is among the unnamed entities that have submitted offers.

“She’s obviously anti-arts,” commented one member of the Coalition on its Facebook page. “Obviously she has no concept of what the Choir College stands for,” reads another. “Gee, thanks for your support, Princeton. I guess the town doesn’t care about education beyond high school. And “I wonder if the mayor is aware how invaluable the Conservatory is for the community,” wrote one member, referring to Westminster Conservatory, the community music school that shares space with the college on its Princeton campus.

In an email on Monday, Ms. Lempert wrote, “As you know, Rider University is currently in the process of evaluating bids for Westminster College and its campus С either together or separately. Rider is a private institution and the municipality is not in a position to prevent this process from unfolding. However, we are watching it closely. Westminster College and the Conservatory are treasured community assets, and I continue to believe the best outcome for the Princeton community would be for the choir college and conservatory to stay at their current location. My hope is that Rider can find another institution that is willing to operate the college and conservatory essentially as they are now.”

“At the same time,” she continued, “the school district is facing rising enrollment, and they are intensely exploring all options for accommodating this growth. Given Rider has decided to sell the property and has opened the process to a range of buyers, I think it makes sense for the school district to explore this option.”

Some members of Princeton Council, most of whom are on vacation or traveling for work, also weighed in this week on the subject. “The town cares about all residents and facilities,” wrote Lance Liverman in an email. “If Westminster is for sale and the town can benefit from the purchase, then I don’t see any problem.”

Councilwoman Jo Butler wrote, “Generally, I have made my earlier position clear: the governing body should respect governance boundaries and let the School Board do their job.”

Councilman Tim Quinn said, “First, I don’t think Council will consider a formal resolution regarding Westminster Choir College. It’s my personal hope that Westminster remains in Princeton as a music college with a world-class choral ensemble. The college and its community music school, Westminster Conservatory, enrich the artistic life of our community. If the Rider University trustees are unsuccessful in finding a way for Westminster to remain in Princeton under its current structure, I think it is in the best interest of the community for Princeton Public Schools to purchase the campus for the education of our students.”

Some Coalition members said they had written to Ms. Lempert and received a letter in response.

The Westminster campus is across Walnut Avenue from Princeton High School and next to John Witherspoon Middle School.