Upper Dublin School District is moving ahead with a full teardown and rebuild of Jarrettown Elementary School, writes Linda Finarelli for The Reporter.
The school board voted to approve a $60 million plan to replace the aging facility with a modern 86,000-square-foot building. The school board expects the project to be completed in 2029, accommodating 600 students.
The plan calls for demolishing the current structure, which was built in the 1950s. The new building will address long-standing infrastructure issues, including HVAC, security, and food service limitations. Students will use modular classrooms during construction.
To finance the project, district officials outlined a multi-year strategy that includes borrowing $45 million and implementing incremental tax increases capped by the Act 1 index, starting at 4% this year. This equates to a $302 school tax for the average Upper Dublin household.
Some residents expressed frustration at the tax hikes, with concerns about cost and whether a full rebuild is necessary. School officials argue that the current option best balances educational priorities and long-term sustainability.
“We’re setting ourselves on a path that will influence future boards and decisions … but it’s time,” said committee chair Mark Sirota.
Read more about the future of Jarrettown Elementary School in The Reporter.
