Credit: Tom Sofield/NewtownPANow.com
The Council Rock School Board will have to make some big decisions at their April 7 meeting.
The school board will have to vote to accept or deny bids for the proposed$55 million middle school building constructed at the Newtown Middle School site and a massive renovation and addition project at Holland Middle School.
At their Thursday evening meeting, the school board members discussed holding a meeting to talk about the building projects, plans to potentially close Richboro Middle School and redistrict. Through further discussion, it was decided that the district’s plans would be laid out during a discussion at the March 17 school board meeting.
“This is a big huge conversation … I think it needs the proper amount of attention, time and the proper communication so the public knows,” board member Wendi Thomas said.
Superintendent Dr. Robert Fraser said he wanted to be sure the board had all the information before they made their decision on April 7.
When asked if the April 7 vote could be pushed back, district Director of Operations Doug Taylor said any delay would push back competition dates for Newtown Middle School and Holland Middle School. Under the current plan, the schools could be finished for students by the first day of school in summer 2018.
The school board Facilities Committee met before the regular school board meeting Thursday and received a presentation and visual walk-thru of the two buildings.
The new Newtown Middle School, which is proposed for the Richboro Road property where the current building sits, could begin construction by the end of spring.
A rendering of the proposed Newtown middle school.
Robin Breslin, president of Breslin, Ridyard, Fadero Architechts, laid out the new school building of Council Rock officials. He narrated a video of the proposed building that would feature a secure lobby, a two-story classroom section, collaboration spaces, an enclosed courtyard with seating, classrooms with large windows and versatile science labs.
A rendering of the upgraded Holland Middle School.
David Schrader of Schrader Group Architecture briefed officials on the proposed work for Holland Middle School. The visual walk-thru he showed showcased the proposed additions and renovations throughout the school. Two new elevators would be installed in the building. Also, the entrance to the school would be moved from the side to the front of the building.
The estimated cost for the Newtown project is around $55 million and the upgrades to Holland Middle School are figured to be about $50 million.
Taylor told school board members they would need to decide on a name for the middle school in Newtown in the next few months so materials can be ordered.
The March 17 school board meeting will be held at 30 North Chancellor Street in Newtown starting at 7:30 p.m.
