Carlisle Area SD reviews K–8 realignment, three sites for new 7–8 school and $85M–$98M project budget; contract vote set for next week

The Carlisle Area School District board met as a whole to review a proposed K–8 realignment intended to address enrollment imbalances in the northern part of the district and aging elementary facilities, and to consider authorizing design work for a new 7–8 middle school.

Superintendent Colleen Friend opened the presentation and described roughly 18 months of subcommittee work on programming, staffing and enrollment that underpins the proposal. "We are very excited to present to you this evening on about a year and a half of committee and some subcommittee work," Colleen Friend said, stressing that the plans and numbers remain preliminary.

Dr. Witham, the district consultant who presented enrollment projections, said the district's third-day counts recently increased by 72 students, or about 1.4 percent, and that capacity pressures are concentrated in the northern schools. "The district grew by 72 students, or 1.4% since the close of last school year," Dr. Witham said, and presenters showed scenarios that would convert five elementary buildings to K–3, turn two buildings (Lamberton and Wilson) into 4–6 intermediate schools and add a new 7–8 middle school.

Consultants from Crabtree Roebaugh and Associates presented three conceptual sites on the high school…