School Board Notes

The Board of School Directors heard from the Schrader Group (Architects) regarding 3 new high school campus concepts. In keeping with the Board's direction to bring these concepts forward in March 2024, the Schrader Group delivered 3 variations that included all the priorities and recommendations provided by the Methacton High School Campus Planning Committee (140 student/staff/parents/community members).

August 20, 2024: Methacton High School Planning Concept Presentation

The concepts included the existing high school program spaces in addition to several other program spaces, including:

• 2 additional science labs
• 1 Fab Lab (STEM)
• 1 Apartment program (student transition/life skills)
• 1 School store
• 4 Common spaces to accommodate Lunch and Learn
• 3 Lane indoor track
• 8 Lane pool
• 1 Wellness Center/Fitness Center
• 1 Field House

One of the greatest challenges is how to utilize the existing campus terrain to construct a new high school while keeping the existing building operational. See example below:

The concepts include state-of-the-art spaces much like you see on college campuses these days that support the collaborative and social aspects of our learners. The building is designed around an outdoor learning courtyard usable for instruction and for thoroughfare when passing classes. The courtyard is flanked by an indoor commons that serves as the entrance, cafeteria, collaborative, and social space of the campus nestled between the academic wings of the building and the arts and athletic wing. This provides a central entrance and ability to secure sections of the building when not in use.

The District is seeking feedback on these concepts through several meetings scheduled in September and October.

The district owners’ representative shared high level estimate costs that are coming in between $206M-$219M. Feedback from the Board primarily was around the cost estimates given that these were much higher than expected. As such, the administration has proposed a number of alternates to the plan that can help reduce the overall costs. As the process proceeds forward, costs will be defined 3 additional times along the process.

On August 27, during the regular meeting of the Board, Dr. Zerbe presented a high level overview of budget and taxpayer impact to borrowing for our future new construction. In his presentation he shared that the district is in solid financial position to take on new debt if it chooses to proceed forward with new construction. He shared that investing $200M for new school construction will reasonably allow the district to continue its focus on student performance/program development/exceptional educational experience and academic excellence in addition to recruiting, retaining, and developing employees and also addressing other facilities' needs.

One challenge with proceeding forward is getting the annual budget to a point that it can stabilize the new interest and principal payments. Dr. Zerbe explained that we need to reach a run rate of expenses from the borrowing. Then, we can resort back to our customary annual tax level. The district recognizes that the use of its capital projects' fund and seeking private contributions through a capital campaign, and through naming rights, can help limit the ramping up of the budget. Dr. Zerbe estimates that we would be at the Act 1 index in tax increases for each of the next 4 years, then fall back to something closer to our 10 year average of 1.8%.

Mr. Ewerth has joined the Methacton family after a long and successful career at the Hatboro-Horsham School District. He started his career as a Grade 8 Mathematics teacher and subsequently progressed to the role of Middle Level Mathematics Curriculum Coordinator. Most recently, he served as Assistant Principal at Keith Valley Middle School.

Mr. Ewerth holds degrees from both Cairn University and Gwynedd Mercy University, and is currently pursuing a doctorate at Immaculata University.

Joelle Mensch began her career in education as an Early Intervention Teacher and Special Education Teacher and then transitioned her focus to School Psychology, completing an internship at the Abington School District.Following her internship, Mensch worked as a School Psychologist at Methacton High School and at the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit.

Joelle Mensch holds an undergraduate degree in Education from Temple University, followed by a Master's degree in Educational Psychology from the same institution. Mensch also earned a Master's degree in School Psychology from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and an Educational Leadership and Management Supervisory Certification from Drexel University.

All other items listed in the August 27, 2024 agenda were approved.

August 27, 2024: Regular Meeting of the Board

August 20, 2024: Work Session Meeting of the Board

The Methacton School District's Board of School Directors meets each month. School board work session meetings are generally held on the third Tuesday of the month, followed by the regular meeting on the fourth Tuesday (except during the month of December). Regular Board and Work Session meetings typically take place in the Arcola Auditorium, and all residents are invited to attend. Committee meetings take place in the MHS LGI. Meeting agendas are posted to Agenda Manager, and start times and locations are posted on the District's website. Please confirm meeting time and location before attending. Download the meeting calendar here. Watch the meeting video online.

Email: information@methacton.org
Website: www.methacton.org
Location: 1001 Kriebel Mill Road, Eagleville, PA, USA
Phone: 610-489-5000