FAQs: Southern Middle School Renovations/ Lincoln Park Elementary School

The Phase 2 project includes a comprehensive renovation to Southern Middle School including a new HVAC system and the addtion of 12-14 classrooms as well as the contruction of a new elementary school on the former Lincoln Park site.

The District has proposed the renovations and additions to Southern Middle School to increase capacity and create an equitable middle school experience for all students.  The proposal includes the addition of new science labs and classrooms, a new secure entrance, upgraded HVAC, and renovations of the current space to create a better student experience.  

The construction of a new elementary school is in response to the increased enrollment the district is experiencing and the current overcrowding of our elementary school (portable classrooms, utilizing closets for teaching areas, etc.).  In addition, adding a sixth elementary school eliminates the need to split Spring Ridge when students move to middle school.  This additional elementary school allows the district to be better prepared for future growth in our district.

Construction of new elementary school at Lincoln Park site:  $31.5- $34.9 million

Southern Middle School renovations/ addition: $44.7- $49.4 million

TOTAL ESTIMATED COST OF PHASE 2 CONSTRUCTION: $76.2-$84.3 million

Projected 2021C GOB Capital Funds Available for Phase 2:  $14-$15 million

ESTIMATED ADDITIONAL FUNDING NEEDED FOR PHASE 2 CONSTRUCTION:  $61.2-$70.3 million

The District secured a General Obligation Bonds to finance the project.   

The District plans to maintain its current annual budgeted debt service payment with a short restructure of existing debt, and therefore, the additional financing will not impact the millage equivalent associated with the District's annual debt service.  We have developed a plan to build in the staffing costs into our budget to prepare for the opening of a new school in Summer of 2027.  

To follow are the reasons why the district does not believe adding on current buildings is a viable solution to our growing enrollment:

● District core values suggest keeping an elementary school learning environment below 600 students 

● A number of the existing elementary schools do not have physical space for expansion on their site 

● The interior spaces would not increase in size/capacity to accommodate additional students (cafeteria, library) 

● The existing schools use closets and other ancillary rooms to house current supports (Reading Specialists, EL teachers, Speech, OT etc.) 

● Staffing increases (beyond classroom teachers) would likely be necessary to meet the needs of additional students in each school. (Special Education and related services, custodial, food services, transportation, aides) 

● Additional students would make scheduling of Specials and lunches challenging 

● The cost to add on to the existing buildings would exceed the cost to build a new elementary school 

The estimated cost to build onto the current elementary schools is approximately $14 million/ school.  Building a new elementary school at the Lincoln Park site is estimated to cost roughly $29-$35 million.

With the addition of a sixth elementary school, the district needed to build up our staffing and operating funds to cover the costs associated with increasing capacity for more students and staff.  We have developed a plan to build in the staffing costs in our budget to enable us to prepare for the opening of a new school in August, 2026.

We contracted with Crabtee and Rohrbach in Fall, 2018 for the feasibility study as a result of the need to address increasing enrollment. Since then, we have reviewed many options which led to this reccomendations. 

We anticipate the renovations being completed by the Fall of 2027.

Yes-- we are phasing the construction so that students can remain in the school during the duration of the contruction.  Please note that construction will span over 2 summers, so that time when students and staff are not in the building will be critical.

We anticipate the new school being completed in the Summer of 2027.  It will be open for students for the 2027/2028 school year. 

Yes.  The district will undergo a comprehensive redistricting.  Of note regarding this redistricting:

• Task force to be developed

• Rising 5th/ 8th graders will have the option to remain in their current school with parent transportation

We inspect and add mulch every year to the mandated depth of 9” of fall protection. We do periodic equipment visual inspections and react to calls and concerns that are presented to our Operations team. During construction, the site will be fenced for public safety much the same as our High School Auditorium Project.

The results of the traffic study can be found here.

Yes-- the district did conduct an environmental study.  You can view the full report here.

This school will host evening events like Van Reed Basketball, cheer, and other community activities. However, we do not plan to host larger outdoor events like baseball, soccer, or football due to the size of the site. 

The Distrist has been in conversations with Spring Township about EDU’s and preliminarily the sewage would go to Reading (Fritz Island) rather than the Township processing facility. Further meetings with the Township will determine the necessary EDU’s and final destination of waste.

All outdoor facilities will be accessible to the Lincoln Park community, including playgrounds. Playgrounds and basketball courts will have fences around them to ensure student safety; however, the gates will not be locked. 

The District has been building in staffing funding in the annual budget to prepare for the opening of Lincoln Park in 2026.  As enrollment in the District has increased, we have had to add additional staffing at our current elementary buildings.  When Lincoln Park opens, teachers will have the opportunity to move to the new school.