Up To $75M Approved For New Elementary School In Phoenixville District

PHOENIXVILLE, PA —The Phoenixville Area School Board Monday night authorized the district to spend a maximum of $75M on the new Hares Hill Elementary School in East Pikeland Township.

The $75M includes a maximum cost of $47.6M on construction costs for the building on Hares Hill Road

The board is required by state law to host a public hearing and approve a financial plan for new school buildings.

During the public hearing, Jeremy Melber, director of finance, said the least costly way to pay for the school is through bonds. The average annual debt is estimated at $5.3 million.

The new school would serve grades two through six and have a capacity for 750 students. Seventh and eighth grades would be in the middle school and ninth through 12 would be in the high school.

The district covers the borough of Phoenixville and East Pikeland and Schuylkill townships.

The new school will have a bus loop and van access from Ridge Road and parking for 193 vehicles.

It will have a gymnasium and cafeteria, a media center, a library and a Science Technology, Engineering and Math room.

Projected increase in enrollment

With a projected increase of 600 new elementary-age students coming to the district within the next five years, school officials began planning for a fourth elementary school.

The bond will be paid over 15 years, officials said. The district has leveled the property to prepare for construction.

The district has three elementary schools, Barkley, Manavon, and Schuylkill; a middle school; and a high school. More than 800 students compete in 25 sports.

The district covers 22 square miles.

The school administration and board are reviewing a proposal to move the sixth grade to elementary schools and change the boundaries of the elementary schools.

The district has 33,737 residents, including 4,000 students, and is one of the fastest-growing districts in the county, according to a report prepared by the district.

SchraderGroup Architecure LLC, Philadelphia, is the Architect and T&M Associates, King of Prussia, is the engineer for the project and Concord Financial Advisors Inc is the financial consultant.

The public has 30 days today to make written comments about the project to Administration, 386 City Line Ave., Phoenixville 19460.