Schools
Overcrowding Prompts T/E School District To Study Options
The Tredyffrin/Easttown school board is considering constructing a new school, redistricting and adding full-day kindergarten.
TREDYFFRIN/EASTTOWN, PA — The Valley Forge Elementary School on Walker Road is projected to be overcrowded during the next decade, according to a study presented to the Tredyffrin/Easttown School District school board in January.
Dr. Richard Gusick, superintendent of schools, provided a presentation to the school board in January on projected enrollment increases in the district's five elementary schools.
The district has five elementary schools, with a total enrollment of 2,377 students. The schools provide a half-day of kindergarten and first through fourth grade.
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All five schools are maximizing the use of classroom spaces with a half day of kindergarten.
The schools are Beaumont, Devon, Hillside, New Eagle, and Valley Forge.
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The superintendent said these are topics for the board to consider:
- Redistricting
- Providing Full-Day Kindergarten
- New School Construction
The construction of a new school would alleviate the issues of overcrowding and provide enough space to offer full-day kindergarten, Gusick said during the presentation.
The estimated cost of a new school is $55M.
These are two possible locations for a new school on district-owned land:
- 783 First Ave, Berwyn, near the Easttown Library
- 302 Jefferson Lane, near the Valley Forge Middle School.
The superintendent said that he would support providing a full-day kindergarten and constructing a new school if there is strong community support.
Board member Sue Tiede questions why the district waited until now to recommend a new school when the issue arose in 2017 when some redistricting occurred.
The superintendent said constructing a new school is a big decision, noting the elementary schools have been expanded to capacity.
Board member Michelle Burger said the presentation was extremely thorough, noting the board will continue to monitor the growth.
“It would be great to have people come out and give us input,” she said. “The two sites the district is considering have walkability.”
Dr. Roberta Hotinski, a board member, said the board welcomes input from the community.
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