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Manheim Township board votes to pursue new Nittrower Elementary and seek up to $5 million in state grant
Summary
After months of study and public input, the board voted to move RLPS Architects into a Phase 2 planning pathway and approved the option to pursue new construction for Nittrower Elementary. The board also authorized requesting up to $5 million in a state facility grant.
The Manheim Township School Board voted to proceed with Phase 2 design work with RLPS Architects and to pursue new construction for Nittrower Elementary, citing community input and long‑term value for students.
Board members spoke at length before the roll call. "The overwhelming support was for new construction," said Dr. McArdle, summarizing community emails and focus‑group feedback that the board reviewed. Advocates said new construction would minimize in‑school disruption, avoid trailers, and create a "future‑ready" building. Some board members framed the decision as a long‑term investment: "Cost is the money we spend; value is what we get," one director said.
Some public commenters and at least one board member raised cost concerns and questioned whether construction estimates might be higher than presented. Resident Mark Sellers told the board he expected a substantially higher total cost than the feasibility numbers presented and urged caution about relying on low initial estimates.
The board also authorized an "authorized official" resolution to request up to $5,000,000 from the Public School Facility Improvement Grant program and designated district officials to execute the documents if the grant is awarded. Chair Mr. Grenter said the RLPS vote advances a planning pathway and does not commit the district to break ground or to final construction costs; subsequent votes and bidding would be required before any construction spending.
The motions carried on roll call; the transcript records ayes from board members and no recorded nays at the meeting. Board members said the RLPS engagement and the new‑construction decision will move the project into a design stage that will allow for additional community input on elements such as whether an auditorium can be included in a final design.
Next steps announced at the meeting include continuing design work with RLPS, further cost refinement, bidding when appropriate, and additional votes before any construction begins.
