Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
With sadness from students, parents, staff and some members of the community, Samuel Everitt Elementary School in Middletown’s Levittown section ushered out its final class of elementary students last week.
The kindergarten graduation and the fifth-grade elevation ceremony were the last in the facility. Despite efforts from the community, the Neshaminy School Board voted in March to close the building as part of a consolidation plan aimed at upgrading schools and saving money.
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By July 1, the Bucks County Intermediate Unit will be taking over the Forsythia Drive South building for at least the next five years. The IU will be shifting operations from the Tawanka School on Brownsville Road in Lower Southampton to the Levittown building.
On the same days the final activities were taking place at Everitt, work on a new 900-student elementary school was beginning at the Tawanka site in Lower Southampton.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
A variety of large construction vehicles began site work and a fence was established around the building, which is know for being a haven for nearby residents riding quads.
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While demolition on Tawanka School has taken place, officials said recently it should begin in the summer.
In March, the Lower Southampton Board of Supervisors unanimously approved preliminary and final land development for the new school, which will house 40 classrooms inside a two-story structure. Officials have said the school will be able to hold approximately 900 students.
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District officials have said they are aiming to open the new school in time for the 2016-2017 school year.
The new building is expected to post around $26 million, with bids coming in lower than expected.
Some candidates for school board asked the sitting board to hold off construction of the school and the closure of Everitt until the November election. The sitting board stated they will continue to move forward with their plans.
