The Pennsbury School Board has approved several multi-million dollar contracts to begin construction on a new high school to replace the district’s aging 1960s-era campus.
In a Thursday evening vote, the school board approved five major construction agreements totaling more than $243.9 million for the project.
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The $176.4 million general construction contract went to BSI Construction LLC, Boro Construction won the electrical contract for $29 million, Tri-County Mechanical was awarded a contract for HVAC work for just over $26.2 million, Myco Mechanical Inc. will complete the plumbing work for just under $10 million, and Accelerated Fire Protection Inc. will handle the fire safety system for $2.3 million.
The district expects the total project budget to reach $269.5 million.
Construction is slated to begin in May, with prep working starting next month.
District officials expect the new 495,000-square-foot facility will open its doors in September 2029.
After the opening of the new high school, demolition of the current East and West buildings is scheduled to start in October 2029, a process expected to last nearly two years.
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The new building will be located on the south side of the existing campus along Hood Boulevard.
The new high school is designed to hold between 2,800 and 3,000 students and staff.
The new building will replace two buildings that have served the district for more than 60 years.
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“This represents the culmination of years of work gathering stakeholder input, using that input to design a high school that will carry the district into the future,” said School Board President Dr. Joanna Steere.
Board member Linda Palsky, who serves on the Facilities Committee, shared appreciation for the project’s leadership and residents for feedback.
“These actions are the culmination of years of planning, collaboration and commitment to providing the best learning environment for our students,” Palsky said.
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The project has received necessary approvals from the Falls Township Board of Supervisors and Bristol Township Council. A tiny portion of the Pennsbury High School property sits in Bristol Township.
According to plans outlined by KCBA Architects’ Mike Strohecker late last year, the facility will include a 3,000-seat gymnasium and an eight-lane swimming pool, an 800-seat auditorium with dedicated arts spaces, a 250-foot-long commons area featuring eight study nooks, and Individual gender-neutral restrooms with sinks located in monitored corridors.
Security was key in the design, which includes a secure vestibule with bulletproof glass and more than 300 cameras.
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Additionally, the new high school layout allows for a future expansion of 40 classrooms if enrollment grows.
As part of the plans, new parent drop-off system will use a central driveway on Olds Boulevard. The driveway will direct vehicles in a counterclockwise pattern to a designated zone.
To fund the project, the district will borrow funds and plans a property tax increase of 14.6 mills spread over four years.
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For a median-assessed home valued at $32,000, the first-year increase is projected at $287, officials previously said.
Officials stated that 40 percent of the increase is dedicated to construction, while 59 percent will support ongoing operations.
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While board members praised the milestone, some residents expressed skepticism during public comment.
“I don’t think there’s any way in hell you people are going to come under budget on it,” said Andrew Dell, of Falls Township.
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Another resident, Jennifer Metzger, questioned if there could be additional costs that will increase the price tag.
