Architects unveil schematic design for Abington Heights middle school addition, targeting 2027 delivery

Architects from KCBA and civil engineers from HRG presented a schematic design for a new addition and partial renovation to Abington Heights Middle School at the board’s Sept. 4 meeting, describing an 85,000-square-foot project that designers said would relieve overcrowding and modernize mechanical systems.

The presentation, introduced by Superintendent Dr. Schaefer, laid out a two-story academic wing with 20 classrooms (10 per floor), three STEM labs, an expanded administrative suite at a new secure main entrance, a life-skills suite and a new gymnasium designed to seat about 800 people. Jim, director of operations at KCBA, said the schematic phase began in April and is the first step in a process that "takes approximately one year" before later procurement and construction phases.

Board members were told the district intends to issue an RFP for a construction manager this fall, solicit general-contractor bids in spring, and begin on-site work in September 2025 with an anticipated substantial-completion target of September 2027. KCBA explained the effort focuses first on the middle school because that building is operating above efficient capacity (presenters cited a mid-80s percentage), creating scheduling problems and the need for additional space.

Designers outlined site and circulation changes: construction would use the front parking area for the addition, and a new replacement/expanded parking area would be developed on the east side; a new access road behind the building would provide service access to boilers, transformers and generators; and parent drop-off and bus drop-off would be separated to improve safety and reduce congestion. Mark Spatz of HRG said the existing ornamental pond does not meet current stormwater regulatory needs and that additional basins are proposed to meet modern stormwater-quality, volume and rate requirements.

On program and interior layout, KCBA showed a preliminary plan that includes flexible classroom layouts, STEM lab spaces with movable dividers, and a life-skills room configured with a kitchen and mock apartment setting for real-world instruction. The design also retains an auxiliary gym while adding a much larger primary gym, team locker rooms and support spaces. "The number one thing you can do to improve the security of your school is to control who's in the building," the design team said, explaining a secure vestibule and locked visitor access as core measures.

Board members pressed the team on several items during Q&A. Presenters confirmed the new addition will be air conditioned; explained that modifying existing roads to add a new state-road access lane would require Pennsylvania Department of Transportation approval and is therefore not part of the current proposal; and said removing the existing pond would trigger regulatory replacement obligations that could negate any immediate land gains. The team also described a phase-two concept that could move additional grades out of the semicircle area and eventually renovate the remaining building for accessibility and flow.

Presenters emphasized that most finish decisions—furniture, specific STEM equipment, and final fit-out—remain to be determined and that the phase-one scope focuses mainly on the addition plus limited renovations. The schematic presentation concluded with designers inviting further review during the fall design cycle and underscoring that site approvals (township, county conservation authority and any relevant agencies) are still required before construction.

Next steps: the district plans to issue procurement documents this fall and return to the board with contract and funding details as schematic design advances toward construction bidding in spring. The board did not vote on the project at the Sept. 4 meeting; the presentation was informational and followed by routine agenda actions.