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Hempfield SD outlines $211 million hybrid plan to rebuild and expand high school, warns of tax and construction impacts
Summary
Hempfield School District officials on Tuesday recommended a hybrid approach — adding about 300,000 square feet to the Buchanan wing, removing the aging Franklin wing and renovating remaining spaces — as the most cost‑effective long‑term option to address failing systems, overcrowding and safety concerns. The plan would be financed largely with bonds, draw on a built capital reserve and likely require incremental millage increases over several years.
Hempfield School District Superintendent Mike Birmersky said the district is recommending a "hybrid" high‑school project that would add roughly 300,000 square feet, renovate usable portions of the existing building and remove the oldest Franklin wing to address failing mechanical systems, cramped classrooms and circulation and safety problems.
"This is a very exciting time for our district," Birmersky said, introducing the plan and urging community feedback via Q&A cards and a QR form. He noted the high school already serves about 2,200 students and projected that, without action, the building could reach full functional capacity around 2028–2029.
The hybrid option presented by the district and KCBA architects carries an initial ballpark price of about $211 million, compared with about $131 million to renovate the existing building without expansion and $255 million for a brand‑new high school. Charles Maris, chair of the board’s building and grounds committee, said the hybrid approach offers a longer service life: "The hybrid option should give us about 75 years," whereas a renovation-only approach would have a shorter lifecycle.
Maris said Hempfield’s strong bond rating and an expanded capital reserve would allow the district to borrow at favorable terms. The district reported its capital reserve has grown from roughly $7 million…
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