Pennsbury School Board To Take Big Vote On Potential $500 Million High School Project

The Pennsbury School Board will take a big vote on the future of the district on Thursday evening.

Following the Pennsbury School Board Facilities Committee vote last week to recommend the construction of a new high school to replace the current two buildings, the school board will vote on Thursday evening on whether to issue a formal request for proposals for architectural services for construction of the proposed new school building in Falls Township.

The vote won’t lock the district into building a new high school, but it will be a serious step toward that outcome.

The facilities committee voted to recommend construction of a new school over a plan to renovate and expand the West Campus. In both scenarios, the East Campus building would have to be demolished.

A new school has been estimated to cost between $240 million to $275 million. The district has put in documents that it “desires to target a program/cost for less than $250 million.”

The total cost of the project includes construction, demolition of the existing buildings, and site improvements, according to James Lynch, of D’Huy Engineering.

The district included a tax increase in the budget that was aimed at putting money aside for capital projects that are planned.

The district plans to take out bonds to cover the costs of construction, and expects using tax hikes over the next decade to pay for the debt.

Pennsbury CFO Chris Berdnik said the principal and interest on the bonds for the high school project would total $569.4 million. However, additional capital projects at other buildings in the district could lead the school system to borrow roughly $500 million more as part of a decades-long repayment schedule.

The district will take another look at enrollment projections and figures due to upcoming housing projects in the district and a potential merger with the Morrisville School District. The merger is not planned and was recently shot down, but it could become a possibility again in the future.

The renovation path would cost between $185 million and $240 million, an increase over previous estimates given by the district.

The new building would be a 475,000- to 505,00-square-foot facility with the latest design techniques and equipment with room to serve 2,800 students.

School officials and citizen members of a committee looking at the high school project toured several regional high schools to get information on those districts projects.

School officials and staff have complained about leaks and other problems at the West Campus and outdated features at the two buildings on the campus. Students have to be shuttled between the two buildings.

In a letter this past summer to the community, Superintendent Dr. Thomas Smith said the district would seek bids for design work in late 2023 and, if the plans are approved, would aim to start construction in the summer of 2025.

A new high school could be completed by late 2029, according to the superintendent.

Donna Abrescia, who is a school board member-elect, has requested the board postpone any votes on the project until she becomes a member and the board reorganizes in December.

Tim Daly, a Lower Makefield Township resident, said he supports a new high school, but he has serious concerns about the cost and impact tax increases could have on the community.

“I’m all for a new building, but it is all about what we can properly afford,” he said.

Daly called on the district to look at the renovation option again.

Colin Coyle, who was on the committee that has explored the possibility of a new high school, said the students need a facility that is the best for the students.

“Let’s invest in those kids and let Falcons fly,” he said.

Rachel McCauley, of Lower Makefield Township, was supportive of the project and urged district officials to support it. She said she understands the financial concerns, but a new high school is needed.

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