The Abington Board of School Directors voted Wednesday to contract with ICS Consulting LLC for program management, architectural and engineering and construction management services for the district’s new Abington Middle School project.

Superintendent Dr. Fetcher said the recommendation will allow the district to begin design and program work following the voter-approved referendum authorizing borrowing for a new middle school and related campus improvements. “This recommendation is for the professional program management, architectural and engineering, construction management services with ICS, for the construction of the new Abington Middle School,” Dr. Fetcher said.

Board and administration members emphasized that referendum-authorized borrowing of up to $285 million can be used only for capital costs specified on the ballot — the middle-school project, demolition of the existing building, field relocation and related improvements — and not for operating expenses. Solicitor remarks at the meeting confirmed that bond proceeds are limited to capital expenditures.

Officials said the district expects to phase borrowings so taxpayers will not face the full potential principal all at once; an initial borrowing this summer would cover design and early-phase costs and is not expected to affect the 2025–26 millage. Program-manager selection and an integrated project team model were described as ways to coordinate design, cost control and construction oversight and to reduce change orders and unforeseen costs.

The board approved the ICS contract by roll-call vote; representatives from ICS and the district solicitor were in the room during the discussion. Administration said it will continue design-phase cost refinement with an eye to reducing overall borrowing needs where feasible.