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Board committee reopens facilities discussion, agrees to form ad-hoc task force to study space, boundaries and transportation
Summary
Facing declining enrollment but rising district-wide special-education classroom needs, the committee agreed to convene a facilities task force, schedule building walkthroughs and explore transportation options (including prior small-vehicle proposals) to address elementary-space constraints and middle-school assignment concerns.
Administrators reviewed last year’s facility conversations and current enrollment projections and framed a continuing challenge: declining overall enrollment alongside growing district-wide special-education classes that consume elementary classroom space. "We have 7 buildings. We have 4,700 students," an administrator said while describing space pressures and the need to be resourceful.
The committee revisited proposals from the prior year — shifting grade centers, combining fifth/sixth grade at West, and skip-back boundary configurations — and acknowledged strong community pushback last cycle, often focused on perceived long bus commutes. Board members raised restoring a previously discussed small-vehicle transportation pilot to ease commute burdens for portions of Skippack Township currently assigned to West Middle School; administrators said they will investigate feasibility and report back.
Multiple trustees supported creating a facilities ad-hoc committee that would work with administration and principals, engage the public, and examine options (including redistricting, modulars, building expansions and transportation models). Administrators committed to refining the task force purpose, walking board members through Evergreen (already completed) and Skipback (to be scheduled), and returning next month with updated three-year projections and options.
The chair asked staff to ensure community engagement and a clear problem statement so discussions do not repeat prior misunderstandings. The meeting closed with agreed next steps: scheduled walkthroughs (high school Feb. 12; East May 6; target Skipback in March) and administrative follow-up on transportation and task-force scope.
