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Board hires ICS to manage Abington Middle School design and demolition; district outlines phased borrowing
Summary
After the referendum, the board approved ICS Consulting LLC for program management, architectural/engineering and construction management to begin the Abington Middle School replacement project. District leaders said borrowing will be phased and bonds are restricted to capital uses approved by voters.
The Abington Board of School Directors authorized a professional services agreement with ICS Consulting LLC on June 24, 2025, to provide program management, architectural/engineering oversight and construction management for the Abington Middle School replacement, demolition of the existing building and relocation of athletic fields.
Why it matters: The appointment signals formal commencement of the design and procurement phase of the $285 million ballot-authorized project. District officials emphasized that referendum borrowing is restricted to capital project uses and cannot be applied to operating expenses.
What the agreement covers - Services: ICS will provide integrated program management, design coordination, and construction oversight. Officials said the model reduces the risk of scope or coordination gaps by housing program and construction management under a single professional team. - Phasing and borrowing: Administration said any borrowing to fund the project will be phased; an initial borrowing is expected to cover early design costs and initial phasing, with further borrowings timed to match construction milestones. CFO Christopher Leonetti said the first borrowing will have no material impact on the 2025–26 millage and will be phased into later budgets. - Cost-control intent: Board members said the district’s goal is to reduce the total referendum amount where feasible; the team will work in design to manage scope and value-engineer where appropriate.
Process and oversight District counsel and the board noted the contract is subject to final solicitor review. The board also authorized the superintendent to issue construction contracts and change directives this summer within board-set thresholds so work that must proceed in the summer can move forward and be reported back at the August meeting.
Ending Administrators said the design phase, contractor selection and phased borrowings will be presented to the board in the coming months with regular updates during design and procurement.
