Schrader Group presents schematic design for Methacton High School; township review set for Feb. 26

Devin Bradbury of the Schrader Group presented a schematic design update for Methacton High School during the Jan. 27 board meeting, saying the district is nearing the end of schematic design (through February 2026) and that a sketch plan has been submitted to the township for review.

Bradbury said the plan separates buses from parent drop-off with three distinct access points and adds two front parking lots (one labeled Lot 8 for staff). Additions shown in the schematic include a new natatorium (pool), an auditorium with flexible seating, a two-story classroom wing, a wellness/fitness center using the pool mezzanine, a fab lab and a life-skills apartment. "We're currently in schematic design, which runs through February 2026," Bradbury said.

The presentation compared program capacity using Pennsylvania Department of Education planning numbers. Bradbury said the current building shows 94 teaching stations (equating to about 1,784 students at an 80% utilization rate under state guidance) while the proposed program shows a capacity of about 1,604 students, a net loss of nine classroom spaces. He described trade-offs in the plan—less dedicated learning-space square footage in return for expanded performing-arts and athletic facilities.

Board members pressed the presenters on traffic impacts and staging. "We have done the counts; we're waiting for the official report," Bradbury said when asked about a traffic study; he said counts were completed and a written traffic study report was expected this week to inform the township comment letter. Presenters also confirmed buses will park on-site and students will exit once buses have massed at the main entrance.

Board members asked for clearer labeled, color-coded plans for public presentation and for materials the board can use when the project appears before township planning staff. Bradbury said township comments should arrive by the end of the week and that the project team will present before the planning commission on Feb. 26; the design team intends to return to the board in February with a final schematic presentation and associated cost information before seeking a vote to move into design development.

The presentation noted zoning variances will be required—examples include parking within a 100-foot setback, impervious-coverage exceedance (existing ~42%, code limit 40%, proposed ~43–45%), driveway distance limits and proposed lighting-height waivers. Bradbury said many of the zoning issues are preexisting conditions and that the team will pursue the necessary variance requests through the township process.

Next steps identified at the meeting: refine drawings per township comments, provide labeled plans for board and public use, finalize the traffic-study report, present final schematic design and cost estimates at the February work session, and seek board direction on whether to proceed into design development.