High school renovation plan emphasizes phased work, new science wing and relocated natatorium

Designers and administrators presented updated renderings and a phased plan for York Suburban High School that would renovate classroom wings, add a two‑story science wing and move the natatorium to a new exterior facility.

Project lead Seth Wentz (presentation) said the approach prioritizes preserving durable existing elements — including terrazzo floors and key circulation — while infilling beneath the media center to create a new administrative suite and repositioning other program elements. The plan includes a two‑story science wing with stacked laboratory classrooms and a large 3,000‑square‑foot flexible multipurpose/boardroom space; the current natatorium would be repurposed into fitness and weight rooms and adjacent locker rooms would be resized.

Wentz described a phasing strategy that keeps the school occupied during construction: create temporary/modular classroom units while expanding parking, build the new science wing and administrative suite, then renovate classroom wings, the cafeteria and music/art spaces in sequence, and complete athletics and natatorium work later in the program. He said some summer‑work items would be scheduled to minimize disruption to classes.

On cost, the presentation included a budget breakdown the team attributed to their estimate: roughly $47 million as a baseline to bring the existing building systems up to modern standards, an additional roughly $15.4 million for the educational program elements presented, and a roughly $12 million estimate for a new pool facility. Project cost consultant John of Fidavia reported that mechanical and electrical pricing has recently spiked and could add roughly 1–2% to project costs in that trade, but that bidding competition and recent bid openings have also produced results below estimates in some cases. Presenters noted Act 34 procedures allow for an 8% swing in the project price between estimate and bids.

Site work updates reported to the board included a completed site survey, planned geotechnical tests, and collaborative meetings with Spring Garden Township. Staff said their design remains within the township’s allowable impervious surface limit (they reported about 44.5% impervious, under the 45% limit) and currently shows approximately 50 more parking spaces than the base requirement. The team said additional parking could be added later with zoning relief; doing so would require additional approvals but could be accommodated by designing stormwater systems to support future expansion.

Board members asked about classroom counts, storage and locker‑room supervision; project staff said they are finalizing classroom tallies with academic program staff and plan to provide enlarged diagrams for athletic and auxiliary spaces at a future presentation. Staff also said they will continue community focus groups and teacher‑by‑department meetings this summer to refine adjacencies, storage needs and equipment selection.

The board was invited to attend the Act 34 presentation and to review materials and FAQs on the district website.