Residents are encouraged to review the updated website and share feedback on proposed options
Abington School District is asking residents of Abington Township and the Borough of Rockledge to provide input on the future of Abington Middle School.
"We want to hear from residents and gather their feedback on the proposed options to find the best path forward for the Middle School and our community," said Superintendent Jeff Fecher.
For nearly three years, the District has been conducting a facilities planning process to assess the needs of its aging school buildings. Using data from experienced consultants, staff opinion and community feedback, the District is evaluating several options to address its most pressing need - Abington Middle School.
Proposed Options, Projected Costs and Tax Impact
Each option carefully considers education, operational needs, costs and the estimated tax impact for local property owners. The options, projected costs, and estimated tax impact based on a median homestead value of $387,402 are:
Renovate and/or renovate and expand the current Middle School. This option would cost between $206 million and $268 million. The estimated tax impact would range from $39 to $51 per month.
Build a new Middle School on the existing campus. This option would cost between $252 million and $307 million. The estimated tax impact would range from $48 to $58 per month.
Create two new middle schools for grades 6 through 8. This option would cost $320 million to create two new middle schools or $497 million to create two new middle schools and build a new K-5 elementary school. The estimated tax impact would range from $61 to $94 per month.
Create two new middle schools, one for grades 5 and 6 and one for grades 7 and 8, and build a new K-4 elementary school. This option would cost between $365 million to $505 million. The estimated tax impact would range from $69 to $96 per month.
For detailed information on these options, visit OneASDOneFuture.org/options.
Share Your Input
The District invites residents of Abington Township and the Borough of Rockledge to share their input on the proposed options through a ThoughtExchange survey. All responses are confidential. The ThoughtExchange will be open through Thursday, November 21, at 11:59 p.m.
How to Participate:
Watch a Video: The District has prepared a video on the proposed options. You can watch the video at OneASDOneFuture.org/options.
Share Your Input: Residents can share their views on the proposed options for Abington Middle School's future through a ThoughtExchange Survey. Access the survey by clicking here or scanning this QR code:
The ThoughtExchange is another step in the District’s process to seek community input on the proposed options for the future of Abington Middle School. The District held a Town Hall Forum and Open House in October and will conduct a scientific telephone survey and online community survey in December.
Next Steps in the Process
The District will present recommendations to the Abington Board of School Directors in early 2025. Once the Board of School Directors selects a plan, they must decide whether or not to go to a referendum to fund the project. This means residents would decide whether the plan will move forward. If the plan goes to a referendum, residents in Abington Township and the Borough of Rockledge would vote to decide whether it will move forward.
"Input from our residents is vital in our evaluation process. We will carefully consider all input from residents and encourage them to participate in this ThoughtExchange to make their voices heard,” Fecher said.
For more information, visit OneASDOneFuture.org.