The Pennsbury School District is moving forward with its plan to construct a new high school with the hire of a construction management firm.
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The board’s decision to hire SitelogIQ came after a vote last month, which concluded with an 7-1 vote to hire the firm for a $2.95 million contract.
School Board President Dr. Joanna Steere noted that three firms vied for the contract and all provided thorough presentations.
Board Member Linda Palsky, who favored D’Huy Engineering, citing its track record and ongoing involvement with district projects, including the Charles Boehm Middle School renovations. She said D’Huy Engineering worked to help the district on the “troubled” Pennwood Middle School project.
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In her comments, Palsky noted that all the companies were qualified, but she believed D’Huy Engineering was the best choice.
Board Member Dr. Jeannine Delwiche said she appreciated the “thoughtfulness” each firm put into their proposal.
The decision follows on the heels of the hiring of KCBA Architects, which was approved in March for a $8.8 million contract to design the new high school in Falls Township.
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A concept design, known as the “Pennsbury Path,” came from KCBA Architects earlier this year. The firm said it wanted to design versatile and environmentally sustainable building that enhances student safety, optimizes natural light, and improves on-site traffic flow.
The projected opening of the new high school is slated for winter 2029, with construction anticipated to begin next year.
The school is expected to cover between 475,000 and 505,000 square feet and accommodate up to 2,800 students, with total costs estimated between $240 million and $275 million.
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Pennsbury CFO Chris Berdnik outlined a financial strategy that includes a tax increase for capital projects and potential bond issues, estimating total principal and interest payments could reach $569.4 million.
The district aims to keep the project cost under $250 million to avoid triggering a voter referendum.
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