The Pennsbury School District is calling on community members to join a design committee to guide the future of Pennsbury High School.
On June 15, the Pennsbury School District Board of Directors passed the 2023-24 school year budget of $242.8 million, including a financial commitment toward a major change at the Pennsbury High School campus.
Possibilities include either a major renovation to the West campus or construction of a new high school that’d combine the East and West buildings.
In the fall, a district-wide design committee will be formed that will be required to attend daytime, evening and weekend meetings. The group would also visit other high schools over the course of several months.
“We’re looking for everyone to be a part of the committee,” said Jennifer Neill, Pennsbury’s supervisor of public relations and district open records officer. “We estimate the team to have a minimum of twenty stakeholders, and hopefully equal parts of parents, guardians, teachers, students, other staff and community members.”
Those interested in joining the committee can send their information to PHSproject@pennsburysd.org, call 215-428-4111 or complete a form at https://forms.gle/yqH2FdDUnpo3qRxg8.
The application period closes at 5 p.m. Aug. 15. Committee members will be randomly chosen and in mid-to-late August.
The project will take several years to complete, the current tentative schedule estimates construction would begin in summer 2025 after needed building investigations, meetings, presentations and approvals occur. Construction of the building is gauged to take four years with a new facility estimated to open up in winter 2029.
“Anything is on the table. We have to maintain the responsibility to give students better opportunities and do what’s best for the student body while we look towards the future, and while still being financially responsible.” Neill said.
The new budget called for a 4.1% school tax increase and additional projected tax increases would be 5% percent the following year, 4.3% the next year, and 2.4% in the third year.
“This approved budget clears the way for exploratory committee work to help determine a course of action for Pennsbury High School, with the school board having final approval,” says Neill.
More information about the Pennbsury High School Project is available on the district website at www.pennsbury.org. The public will receive monthly updates at Pennsbury School Board meetings.
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