Pennsbury To Hire Architect, Advance New High School Plans

The Pennsbury School District’s bid to build a new high school in Falls Township is expected to take a giant leap forward Thursday evening.

The school board will vote on their choice for an architect for the project at their 7:30 p.m. meeting in the Fallsington Elementary School multipurpose room.

Two architectural firms – KCBA and Crabtree, Rohrbaugh, and Associates – have emerged as finalists in the competitive selection process. Both firms presented their visions and qualifications to the public and school board through a series of presentations and meetings held over the past month.

KCBA Architects highlighted their concept of the “Pennsbury Path,” a design feature aimed at connecting various parts of the campus while promoting accessibility and engagement.

Mike Kelly, representing KCBA, emphasized the firm’s focus on versatility, environmental sustainability, and creating a welcoming atmosphere that encourages personal experiences within a large-scale facility.

KCBA representatives told the school board they will work to design a building with access to daylight and energy-savings. In addition, there will be safety measures incorporated, improve entrances and exits, and create separate areas for buses and personal vehicles.

The KCBA team said they would work to create an inspiring environment for students.

KCBA Architects has handled the Charles Boehm Middle School renovations, which has seen a budget increase. Officials from the firm chalked the increased cost up to unexpected challenges found once construction began.

Crabtree, Rohrbaugh, and Associates proposed a design centered on a “Main Street” concept that is intended to foster collaboration and community within the school.

The concept includes provisions for future expansion and emphasizes safety, sustainability, and efficient traffic flow.

The firm drew parallels between their concept and their previous project, the State College Area High School, noting similarities in the challenges faced.

Crabtree, Rohrbaugh, and Associates said their design work would focus on energy efficiency, safety, security, and traffic flow. They said one aspect was to reduce the impact of parking lots, focusing on pedestrian networks, and landscaping that fits the area.

Issues such as potential budget overruns and the impact on local property taxes were highlighted by taxpayers, including Lower Makefield Township residents Tim Daly and Robert Abrams.

Abrams called for a referendum on the project.

Both firms told the public this month that they could accomplish the project and achieve the district’s goals for a new high school without major cost overruns or schedule delays.

Superintendent Dr. Thomas Smith said that the development of the final design will involve extensive consultation with students, staff, and community members over the next year.

If all goes according to the district’s roadmap, construction could begin by next summer.

The opening of the new high school targeted for winter 2029.

The project is estimated to cost between $240 million and $275 million, with a district goal to keep the cost under the $250 million mark to avoid the need for a voter referendum.

Spanning between 475,000 and 505,000 square feet, the new high school could serve as many as 2,800 students.

Pensbury has already implemented a tax increase earmarked for capital projects and plans to issue bonds.

According to Chris Berdnik, the district’s CFO, the long-term financial strategy could see principal and interest payments amounting to $569.4 million, with the possibility of further borrowing for additional district improvements.

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