Redistricting Elementary Schools Plan In Phoenixville Expected In June

PHOENIXVILLE, PA — Phoenixville Area School Board is expected to vote in June on a plan to redistrict the elementary school boundaries in the 2025-26 school year to relieve overcrowding, the district superintendent said during Monday night’s board meeting.

Dr. Alan Fegley, the superintendent, said he anticipates the administration will have a specific recommendation for the boundary changes by June.

The district covers 22 square miles and consists of the borough of Phoenixville, and East Pikeland and Schuylkill townships. It has 32,000 residents.

The district has three elementary schools, Barkley, Manavon and Schuylkill, and is in the process of constructing a fourth.

The proposal involves moving sixth grade to the elementary schools and changing the boundary lines of the elementary schools with a new one under construction.

“That will help us relieve the pressure we have at the middle school,” he said. “Why now? Families need time to plan.”

The superintendent said that the June decision will also allow time for staffing decisions and input from those involved in the changes including real estate agents selling properties.

Fegley said the plans call for filling each building between 75 to 85 percent, maintaining walking areas, and reflecting the district’s diversity. Fegley said the goal is to make the transportation routes for students shorter.

“We hope to have clear thoughtful boundaries,” he said.

The superintendent also presented data on the district’s diversity:

• 51 percent male, 49 percent female
• American Indian: .1 percent
• Asian: 3.72 percent
• Black: 5 percent
• Multi-racial 6.5 percent
• Latino: 20 percent
• White: 65.9 percent

Under the current system, there are 206 walkers at Barkley, 100 at Manavon and 12 at Schuylkill elementary schools. PennDOT is determining whether there will be walkers allowed in the new school.

These meetings are scheduled:

• March 1 - 7 p.m. Schuylkill Home and School Association
• March 7 - 7 p.m. Barkley Home and School Association
• March 8 - 6:30 p.m. Early Learning Center Home and School Association
• March 15 - 7 p.m. Manavon Home and School Association

There will be Spanish and Portuguese interpreters at each meeting.