Neshaminy Eyeing New Elementary School, Athletic Upgrades (ICYMI)

LEVITTOWN, PA — Neshaminy School District is looking to speed up plans to build the district's first new elementary school in years and complete other construction and renovation projects.

The district's administrators and school board have begun discussions centered on upgrading or replacing aging facilities. Among them would be a new elementary school that would replace Pearl S. Buck Elementary.

Current plans also include renovations to the athletic field and other outdoor facilities at Neshaminy High School and tackling multiple physical-plant needs, including heating and air conditioning, roofs and parking lots, on several campuses.

"The district administration and school board remain committed to providing the best and safest possible learning environment for our students while maintaining a high level of fiscal responsibility for the taxpayers of Neshaminy," district officials said in a letter to members of the school community. "The need is great and the time is right to continue these efforts."

The new elementary school would be on the Maple Point Middle School property and would replace Pearl S. Buck. District officials are studying the benefits and costs of a new school compared to the extensive renovations needed at Buck.

Neshaminy schools Superintendent Rober McGee and Business Administrator Don Irwin have asked council and staff to consider speeding up plans for maintenance and construction and to consider bundling more projects together to save on costs.

Doing so, they said, would take advantage of historic low borrowing rates and a favorable bond market, as well as addressing the needs of students and staff.

"This is a unique opportunity to carry out needed facility improvements while retaining fiscally responsible budgeting," they said in the letter.

Recently, the school board's Facilities committee has heard presentations on building a new elementary school.

After Neshaminy's last feasibility study in 2013, a new elementary school was recommended, along with energy-saving and other upgrades at six current school buildings. Work started in 2014 on the electrical, lighting, plumbing and insulation upgrades, which were completed in 2017.

Neshaminy's last new school building was the new Tawanka Elementary School, which opened for the 2016-17 school year and replaced the school's aging old building.

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