Penn-Trafford to explore school mergers, new construction

The Penn-Trafford School board has authorized two studies to explore the district’s future, which could include closing underused facilities and building larger schools to accommodate rising enrollment.

Board members agreed to pay two companies about $18,000 each for a demographic analysis of the district and the feasibility study examining consolidation and construction of schools.

“We’re starting to run out of space in our elementary schools,” said Scott Inglese, the district’s assistant superintendent. “It’s just a matter of our increased enrollment and development in the community.”

More than 3,900 students are enrolled in the Penn-Trafford district, where classes for the 2022-2023 school year are slated to begin Thursday. The district includes one high school, two middle schools and five elementary buildings. Inglese said elementary school enrollment has increased by as much as 150 students this year.

The studies will evaluate the district’s needs based on population while also addressing the potential for larger schools as part of a consolidation that could better use staff and resources as well as replace aging facilities.

Inglese said the district’s administration building is more than than 100 years old, while several schools have become crowded and outdated. Other buildings are underused, he said.

“One of our buildings had a dedicated science room but we had to replace it with a classroom. We’re running out of space,” Inglese said. “Everything is on the table.”

Future plans could include school mergers, realigning boundary lines within the district and new construction.

Officials anticipate the studies will take about a year to complete before decisions are made about how to proceed.

Inglese said he doesn’t see school closures enacted or new construction completed for at least five years.

School board member Bryan Kline said both studies have been in the works for some time as the district continues to grow.

“The demographics in Penn-Trafford are changing with all the building that is going on. We need to study it and see how it impacts our district,” Kline said.