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Parkland board hears Vision 2030 high school plan as design grows and estimate rises
Summary
Design team presented a Vision 2030 high school update Sept. 17 that outlined a schedule through 2027, new program spaces and a budget that rose to roughly $58–59 million as the design expanded to nearly 75,000 square feet; an Act 34 public hearing is planned before construction.
Designers and district leaders on Sept. 17 gave the Parkland School District board a detailed update on the Vision 2030 plan for the high school, laying out a schedule that would put construction completion in July 2027 and reporting a budget increase tied to expanded scope.
Jamie Boards of Alloy Five and other members of the design team told the board they expect to complete design development by the end of the month, finish construction documents by May 2025, go to bid in September 2025 and award contracts in April 2026 to meet a July 2027 completion target. "We're going to be completing design development at the end of the month," the team said during the presentation.
Why it matters: the scope rise affects district planning, permitting and likely the public review process. The team said the project size triggers Pennsylvania's Act 34 public hearing requirement; staff aim to finalize the F‑34 packet in December and ask the board to authorize advertising for an Act 34 hearing with a potential hearing date in February.
The architects described proposed additions that "fill in" existing courtyard wedges, a possible new parking lot to serve growing enrollment and programmatic expansions inside the building. Key elements the team highlighted include a cafeteria expansion that adds about 200 seats, 12 science labs, 28 general classrooms, dedicated learning-support rooms, a new art lab and a communication and design lab. The proposal also includes a second‑story circulation stair to reduce cafeteria crowding and a media center facelift with small-group and maker spaces.
District staff and designers told the board that schematic design increased the project's footprint and program needs. "That budget came in at 58 almost 59 million complete," a district finance presenter said, explaining an increase from the earlier feasibility estimate of roughly $55 million. The presenters attributed the higher estimate primarily to increased square footage — noting the design grew from about 60,000 to nearly 75,000 square feet — and to added interior renovation scope required for full program delivery.
Board members pressed on optional elements and tradeoffs. The athletics lobby was presented as an alternate intended to create a distinct, accessible entry to the gymnasium and to separate game-day traffic from cafeteria functions; designers estimated the alternate at about $2.8 million. Supporters said the alternate would allow the cafeteria to continue to function for concessions and student use during athletic events while creating a presence for athletic displays and easier bleed‑through access to the gym.
Designers also described how the plan repurposes locker bays for offices while preserving natural light via high transom windows, and how moving the tech office closer to the cafeteria could facilitate Chromebook repairs during lunch periods.
Next steps: the district will complete the design development set at the end of the month, prepare the Act 34 packet in December and hold community meetings through October. The board was told they will continue to review the project before authorizing any advertising or contract awards.
