Wilson School District Superintendent Dr. Trickett recommended the board bring a resolution on Jan. 12 to purchase a roughly 38‑acre parcel off State Hill Road, adjacent to Kacoosoe Meadows Park, to preserve an option for future school siting and district needs.

"The recommendation tonight from myself and our team is that the board moves forward with this proposal, that we do bring forward a resolution to purchase this property at our January 12 board meeting," Dr. Trickett said. He emphasized the district is not proposing construction at this time but would like to own the land to preserve options for decades ahead.

Dr. Trickett reviewed enrollment trends and district planning that underpin the recommendation: steady historical growth (about 1 percent annually), demographic projections, and a cluster of proposed and active housing developments he said amount to roughly 194 single‑family homes and 1,602 apartments in the surrounding study area. He noted the parcel has public water and sewer and is located along a major highway—factors the district considers favorable for long‑term school siting.

The superintendent said the property first came before the board four years ago and has been under a sale agreement with multiple extensions; the most recent extension is set to expire in January. He said the sale price has not changed during the agreement period. Dr. Trickett said he and staff have discussed the site with the Lower Heidelberg Township board of supervisors and have requested relief that would be needed should the district pursue acquisition.

Dr. Trickett also described intended interim uses if the district takes title: allowing agricultural use to continue so a farmer would maintain the land, which the district said reduces maintenance burden while preserving the parcel for future educational use. He explained considerations such as bus routes and proximity to student population density that inform the district’s preference for owning nearby land.

Next steps the superintendent proposed were to allow roughly a month for board discussion and about two and a half weeks to coordinate settlement timing with the landowners to meet contractual deadlines if the board chooses to move forward.

The recommendation will appear as a proposed resolution on the Jan. 12 board meeting agenda for a formal vote; Dr. Trickett did not present a construction timeline or a current plan to build.