Bethel Park holds public hearings on proposed closure of five elementary schools and administration building

Bethel Park School District Board President Jim Modrack called to order a series of public hearings in October 2025 on the proposed closing of Abraham Lincoln, Benjamin Franklin, Bethel Memorial, George Washington and William Penn elementary schools and the District Administration Building.

District staff presented the financial and programmatic rationale for the proposed closures, citing a years-long enrollment decline, aging building systems and wide disparities in classroom sizes and services across the district. No vote was taken; the board noted state law requires at least three months between the hearing and any formal action under section 780 of the Public School Code of 1949.

The hearings followed a district-commissioned facilities study by Hayes Design Group and subsequent board and stakeholder review. Dr. Walsh summarized the district’s findings: enrollment was down roughly 795 students since 2011, several school buildings lack full accessibility and contemporary security features, and renovation costs for the older elementary buildings were judged high relative to new construction. He said the board previously decided to renovate Independence Middle School, move sixth grade back into that facility, and consolidate elementary students, and that keeping all existing elementary buildings open would require unaffordable capital work.

Dr. Walsh described specific conditions and estimated costs cited for individual buildings: Abraham Lincoln (built 1965; two stories; cited HVAC failure and earlier renovations in 1993, 2008 and 2015), Benjamin Franklin (built 1955; two stories; larger square footage because of a full-size gymnasium; paving/underground drainage and HVAC concerns), Bethel Memorial (built 1949; one story with a 2008 wing; electrical work and prior fire-damage repairs), George Washington (built 1966; water-main and pipe replacement would require major paving work) and William Penn (built 1961; masonry and sewer/drainage issues). Dr. Walsh told the board the district’s appraisals show the District Administration Building has higher market value than the elementary buildings.

Board staff described the district’s preferred implementation approach as a mix of actions: construct a new elementary facility (the district said construction cost per square foot for the new school is lower than estimated renovation costs), renovate and bring Independence Middle School to current standards, relocate district administration into an existing school building that will remain in service, and sell or auction specific properties. Dr. Walsh said the district intends to list Abraham Lincoln and William Penn for sale or public auction and transfer Benjamin Franklin and George Washington to municipal ownership in 2026 under an existing agreement that included waived permit fees.

During public comment, resident Mr. Means questioned the timing and tone of the hearings, saying, “it’s almost a superficial, dog and pony show because it’s an accomplished fact that you have to close the schools because the decision was already made to close the schools.” Beth Opat, founder and board president of Dogwood Charter School, urged the district to consider charter operators as potential buyers and said Dogwood would be interested in discussing purchase or reuse of Lincoln or William Penn for its program. “Our intent has always been to complement, not compete with the strong schools that you already have in this district,” Opat said.

Board solicitor Rebecca Heaton Hall reminded speakers that comments were limited to the building under discussion for each hearing and that the district had posted an advertisement in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Sept. 30, 2025 to satisfy the statutory notice requirement. The board closed each hearing after taking testimony; Modrack said the hearings satisfied the district’s legal obligations and that no action will be taken before the statutory waiting period expires.

The district said further details, slide materials and a link to submit written comments will be posted on the school board web page. The board’s next regular meeting was announced for 7 p.m.; any formal actions on building dispositions will follow separate agenda notices and the required statutory timelines.