Abington board votes to put $285 million middle‑school referendum on May primary ballot

The Abington Board of School Directors voted unanimously Jan. 28 to place a referendum on the May 20, 2025 primary ballot asking residents to approve up to $285,000,000 in electoral debt to finance construction of a new Abington Middle School.

The resolution, read into the record by board member Miss Hartman and seconded by Dr. Fetcher, directs the district to coordinate with the county Board of Elections to ask electors whether the district “shall debt in the sum of $285,000,000 for the purpose of financing the construction of a new Abington Middle School.” Mr. O'Donohue reviewed the statutory process and said the form of the ballot question is governed by state statute.

Why it matters: The vote advances a multi‑year planning process that district leaders say responds to building age, accessibility and instructional limitations in the existing middle‑school facility. If voters approve the question in May, the district would be authorized to incur debt up to the stated amount to build a new school; if voters reject it, the district will not take on that debt…