Following an extensive review process, the Falls Supervisors on Thursday unanimously granted preliminary and final land development approval to Pennsbury School District to replace the existing East and West high school buildings with a new unified ninth- through 12th-grade campus on Hood Boulevard.
Construction is expected to begin later this year with an opening for the 2029-2030 school year, officials said previously.
The 497,000-square-foot, three-story building would be built on the south side of the existing campus, allowing the current high school buildings to remain operational throughout construction. In addition to the high school, a 7,150-square-foot bus maintenance garage, 1,837-square-foot transportation office, 2,400-square-foot field maintenance building and 684-square-foot concession/bathroom building would be constructed on the site.
Once construction is complete, the two high schools, Village Park Elementary School, several accessory buildings, and parking areas would be demolished.
The board’s approval comes on the heels of a Falls Township Planning Commission approval, as well as an OK from the Bristol Township Council for the portion of school district property located in that municipality.
Prior to the vote, resident Jennifer Metzger asked the board to consider only preliminary land development on Thursday, tabling final approval for a later date.
“What’s the rush?” Metzger asked.
Supervisor Chairman Jeff Dence said the board has not rushed anything related to the project, noting that township professionals have spent the last six months reviewing the school district’s plans. Metzger had raised concerns about the possibility of construction bids coming back higher than anticipated as part of her reasoning for tabling the final land development approval.
“As a board that’s not our concern,” Dence said. “If the bids come back too high, that’s (the school board’s) problem, not ours.”
School officials have said the project is estimated to cost $270 million.
Solicitor Mike Clarke reiterated that Metzger’s concerns were under the purview of Pennsbury School Board, not the Falls Supervisors.
“There really is no need to bring them back for final,” Clarke said. “There are not going to be substantial changes.”
He also said that the school district would need to come back to the board for amended land development approval should its plans drastically change.
Supervisors Vice Chairperson Erin Mullen echoed Dence and Clarke’s sentiments but said she respected Metzger’s “participation in your government.”
