Methacton board approves schematic design work, residents urge pause and better community outreach

The Methacton School District Board of School Directors voted Oct. 28 to advance schematic design for a proposed high school renovation and to retain construction-management and owner's-representative services, while residents raised objections about process and projected costs.

Board members approved two schematic-design actions presented under 'other': authorization for the Schrader Group to proceed into schematic design at a cost not to exceed $672,576 and approval for ICS CMTA to proceed into schematic design at a cost not to exceed $69,615. After discussion about scopes and schedule, the motions passed by recorded voice vote with the board announcing the motion carried 7 to 0.

Why it matters: the schematic-design phase will produce the schematic layout of spaces, site planning and initial program elements that guide the project's next design-development phases and eventual cost estimates. District staff told the board schematic design work is expected to continue through January.

Public criticism and concerns

Several residents used public comment to urge the board to slow down and provide clearer information. Public commenter Jim Malik said insufficient due diligence had been done and traced earlier cost estimates for high-school systems from roughly $9.3 million in 2020 (HVAC) to an approximately $42 million estimate in 2022 attributed to KCBA Architects, and he questioned turnover among consultants. "This whole thing stinks," Malik said, arguing the district should "put a hold on this thing and figure out what you absolutely need."

John Andrews of Lower Providence also criticized the district’s outreach, saying recent communication (postcards) was inadequate and urging the district to produce clearer, multi-page explanatory materials similar to examples he cited from municipal outreach.

District response and consultant introductions

District staff and the board emphasized the choice of ICS CMTA was driven by the experience of the assembled team. ICS's Mike Lang introduced the firm's project team and described their roles: Lang said he would assist at an executive level; other ICS staff described design, field-superintendent and project-management roles. District staff noted ICS will support scope A (retainer/master facilities planning) and, if authorized, scope B (the high school project).

Board clarifications

Board members pressed staff and consultants to explain the difference between architectural services (design and systems planning) and owner's-representative/CM services (cost estimating, scheduling and phasing). Contractors said schematic design will establish program layout and site options; design development and land-development follow in later phases.

Next steps

The board approved the schematic-design authorizations to move the projects to the next phase; staff said schematic design will proceed with programming meetings and an expectation of completion through January. Residents and commenters asked for additional public information and for the board to consider pausing to refine scope and costs before advancing later design phases.

Votes at a glance

- Approve Schrader Group schematic design authorization (not to exceed $672,576): carried 7–0. - Approve ICS CMTA schematic design authorization (not to exceed $69,615): carried 7–0.

The board adjourned after completing the agenda; no further votes on funding approvals for construction were taken at this meeting.