Board Update
Methacton School District Board of School Directors
January 2015 …………………Vol. 1, No. 2
Your school board is faced with a number of important issues and projects this year, and we will be providing updates each month on them. This month, we want to briefly update you on three important items.
The Methacton High School Fields Improvement Project, the recently completed school enrollment study, and the Methacton budget.
Methacton High School Fields Improvement Project
As you are probably aware, the board approved a project in 2013 for upgrading the football and track areas as well as creating new fields for soccer and softball/baseball. Two of the fields will have artificial turf and lights for night use.
Here is a brief summary of the project status, with links to find more details:
- December 3, 2014 – Public bid process ends, and bids are opened; 5 general bids and several sub-contract bids reveal the low bidders to total $4.9 million for the project – within budget.
- December 17, 2014 – Worcester township issues a decision “Conditional Use” application for field lighting, with 16 conditions included (see news article – Times Herald). Because these conditions are deemed expensive project additions with no relationship to field lighting,and with lower than acceptable safe lighting levels, the permit was appealed in the Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas on December 18, 2014 and a hearing date has not yet been scheduled.
- January 12, 2015 – The board votes to award bids and begin the construction process (see news article – Times Herald) Read a letter from School Board President S. Christian Nascimento.
The project is now underway. Construction is expected to begin in early March, weather permitting, with new fields available for use by the middle of August. More details on the project are available at www.methacton.org/fields.
A substantial effort is also underway to raise at least $1.7 million in private funds and “in kind” project work to help offset the total project cost, estimated at $5.7 million, and partially funded through a bond issue. Read more about this effort at www.methacton.org/warriorpride.
Methacton School District Enrollment Study
Methacton School System Enrollment Study
As has been done periodically throughout the school history, an updated enrollment study was commissioned to PEL (Pennsylvania Economy League), a research firm with many years of experience in this field. That study was recently completed and a public presentation was delivered on 1/20/2015. Here are some of the key findings:
- During the period from 2004/05 (5,338 students) through the current enrollment year of 2014/15 (4,974 students), student enrollment has declined (364 students) with an average for the system of 6.8%.
- With the exception of 2009/10 (+22 students, .04%) the student population has dropped every year for the past 7 years.
- This same study looked ahead for 5 years to 2019/20, and forecast a continuing decline from today’s population, although at a slower rate than the past 5 years. Slower housing development (240 average per year in 2000-2010, 52 average per year from 2011-2014), and lower birth rates were two factors contributing to the changes.
- Special Education students comprise 14.5% (2013/14) of the population.
- About 18% of the students living in the district attend schools other than Methacton (charter, home, private, etc.), and are not included in the above numbers
The PEL presentation can be downloaded from the district's website for more detailed review.
Methacton Schools Capacity Study
The board also commissioned a report on current building capacity at each of our 8 school buildings. That report has been completed, and a presentation of findings will be presented to the board and the public at a special board meeting on February 3 at 7 p.m. in the LGI room at Methacton High School.
The enrollment and capacity reports will be examined to determine the most cost efficient approach to accommodate our students going forward.
School District Budget
The board approved a resolution not to raise taxes above the limit (or "index") allowable under Act 1 when the 2015-2016 budget is approved in June. Read the entire resolution on AgendaManager here.
The Act 1 index for the 2015-2016 fiscal year is 1.9%. The Board and administration will continue to work together over the coming months to prepare a fiscally responsible budget that meets the needs of our students and the Methacton community's expectations for educational excellence.
The timeline for preparation of the district's budget appears on the website. Additional details will also be posted there as progress on the budget continues.
Special Meeting of the Board of School Directors
Tuesday, Feb 3, 2015, 07:00 PM
MHS LGI
January 20 School Board Meeting Video
January 12 School Board Meeting Video
Methacton School District Board of School Directors
Email: dkoons@methacton.org
Website: www.methacton.org/schoolboard
Location: 1001 Kriebel Mill Road, Eagleville, PA
Phone: 610-489-5000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MethactonSchoolDistrict
Twitter: @methacton