The Abington Board of School Directors on Aug. 12 authorized a finance team to investigate and prepare for issuance of general obligation bonds to fund the district’s new middle school project, and heard repeated public requests that local contractors and residents be given priority in the process.
The board’s action authorizes a finance team of Audrey Baer (financial adviser), George T. Magnotta (bond counsel), Justin O’Donoghue (solicitor), Christopher A. Lionetti (chief financial officer and board secretary), Patricia Denicola (chief financial officer), and Dr. Jeffrey S. Fetcher (superintendent of schools) to proceed with preparations for a Series 2025 general obligation bond offering for the Abington Middle School project.
The vote followed updates from district staff on the project timeline and public comment urging local participation. Dr. Fetcher said the district entered a contract with ICS for program, design and construction management services during the design phase and that a competitive bid process for prime contractors will follow after design. Christopher A. Lionetti, the district’s chief financial officer, told the board staff anticipates a 12-to-15-month design process before the project goes to bid in 2026.
Why it matters: The bond authorization is an early, essential step that lets the district assemble advisers and prepare financing documents; it precedes public deliberations on bond terms, which will determine interest costs and who may buy the bonds.
Board action and rules for contractor selection
The board approved the finance-team authorization by roll call; the motion carried with the board announcing “the ayes have it.” Board members present included Mister Allen, Mister Mohammed, Miss Balding, Miss Hartman, Miss Frazier, Miss Fazie and Doctor Mowery. The finance team authorization gives staff and advisers permission to “investigate and prepare for the issuance” of bonds; it does not itself set interest rates, length of the debt or finalize sale terms, which will return to the board for public action.
District staff repeatedly emphasized legal constraints on procurement. Lionetti said the district will conduct a public, multi-prime bid process and “is required to award contracts to the lowest responsible bidder for each of the trades” under purchasing rules imposed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. He added that the district is not permitted “to have a local preference in terms of that calculation,” but encouraged qualified Abington and Rockledge contractors to bid.
Public comments pressed for more local representation and investment opportunities
During two public-comment periods, several residents pressed the board on who serves on the finance team and whether local contractors and individual investors would have priority. Roy Bant asked whether “bids were given out, were multiple bids received” and whether Abington and Rockledge contractors would receive preferential treatment. Joe Rooney and other residents said the bond passed by a narrow margin and urged the board to include locally elected or civilian representation on the finance team; Rooney said he would formally request a seat.
One member of the public argued the district should allow Abington residents to purchase bonds directly when offered, saying local taxpayers should “get the first shot at the bonds.” Solicitor Justin O’Donoghue explained during the meeting that the motion could be amended to add a board representative and that the board may add a member to the finance team at a later meeting.
Timeline and next steps
District staff said the immediate next steps are completing design work with ICS and preparing plans and specifications that will be used in the public bidding process for prime contractors. The district anticipates bidding construction contracts in 2026 after the design phase and in compliance with state procurement rules. The board will receive updates and must deliberate publicly before any bond sale or award of construction contracts.
Ending
The board’s authorization enables the district and its advisers to prepare financing and procurement materials. Community members who spoke asked the board to consider adding a civilian or elected representative to the finance team and to explore ways local residents and contractors can participate; board members and staff said such changes can be considered and that procurement must follow state rules.