Planning for the Future
The Process So Far
As we plan for the future, Abington School District will continue to engage the community. Guided by stakeholder and resident feedback, we are now asking residents from Abington Township and the Borough of Rockledge to weigh in on proposed options for Abington Middle School.
Resources to help residents learn more about the proposed options and the estimated tax impact of each option:
Share Your Input
Take Our Community Survey
Residents in Abington Township and the Borough of Rockledge are invited to participate in a new community survey about the future of Abington Middle School.
The survey will be open through Monday, December 23. All responses are anonymous.
Residents may request a paper copy of the survey from cr@abington.k12.pa.us or pick one up at the Administration Building. Paper copies are also available at the Abington Township Public Library.
No decision has been made on the scope of a facilities plan or how to prioritize projects, but the District has taken significant steps. Here is what the District has accomplished after nearly a year:
The District administrative team retained two local consulting firms (ICS and SCHRADERGROUP) to conduct a complete assessment of each of the District’s buildings, including infrastructure, operations, and educational needs. The assessments addressed the following key questions:
Do the District’s buildings meet today’s codes for safe, healthy, and accessible educational spaces?
Is facility infrastructure reaching the end of its useful life?
How can the District’s buildings consume less energy?
Are the District’s buildings designed for the number of students we expect?
Does classroom space meet the educational needs of teaching staff and students?
Are we able to provide the services expected in modern schools?
Do our buildings support collaboration, project-based learning, and other aspects of modern education?
Which needs can be addressed with continued maintenance, and which require replacement?
What is the cost of the identified needs?
The District evaluated demographic trends to determine enrollment projections for the next 10 years.
In August of 2023, the Abington School Board received the consultants’ report that explained the district’s facility challenges and outlined potential solutions. The board asked questions about the assessments, and there was an opportunity for community members to share their input. The board recommended the next steps in the process, which include additional evaluation of potential options that include opportunities for community input in the process. This was presented at a special public meeting and can be viewed here.
In early 2024, the District conducted a telephone and online survey, hosted two open houses with tours of Abington Middle School, and invited residents to share their feedback with the District. Community engagement has been, and will continue to be, essential in this process. The District will continue to seek feedback from residents this fall as we develop options for a comprehensive facilities plan that addresses our infrastructure challenges, supports our students, and aligns with our community’s expectations.
Guided by stakeholder and resident feedback, the District developed concepts for 12 options to address the needs of Abington Middle School. This evaluation considered the educational impact, efficiency, enrollment projections, facility and site needs, operations, and financial considerations.
Four options for Abington Middle School have been identified for further consideration by the District, the Abington School District Board of School Directors, and our community. As the District moves forward, we will further evaluate the cost of each option. This includes reviewing the District’s financial position including resources while considering the impact on taxpayers.
The District is seeking input from teachers and staff, parents and guardians, students, and residents on these options to ensure we create a plan that meets the immediate needs and supports our students' success for years to come.
Over the next few months, residents will have opportunities to review and provide input on the proposed options for Abington Middle School. The District wants to hear what residents believe is the right plan for the district, the positives and negatives of each plan, and other ideas to address the needs of Abington Middle School.
The District will use data from experienced consultants, staff opinion and community feedback to refine and evaluate the proposed options for the future of Abington Middle School. Recommendations will be presented to the Board of School Directors in early 2025.
Once the Board selects a plan, they must decide whether or not to go to a referendum to fund the project; this means residents in Abington Township and the Borough of Rockledge would vote to decide whether the plan will move forward. The plan can only move forward if approved by voters.
What’s next?
Review Middle School Options: Four options have been identified for further consideration by the District, the Board of School Directors and our community. Each option carefully considers education, operational needs, costs and the estimated tax impact for local property owners.
Visit the Middle School Options page to learn more and provide your feedback.
Seek Community Input: Abington School District is committed to transparency and will provide ongoing updates throughout this process. There are several ways for residents to share their input and feedback:
The District will conduct a scientific telephone survey and an online community survey in December.
The District encourages residents to share their input and feedback through this website’s Connect Form.
District residents can sign up for the District Community ListServ at Abington School District Communications Resources.
The District will also share information through its social media platforms, other communication channels, and local media.
Explore Funding Options: The Board will develop and review a financial plan. This may include existing funding reserves, construction bonds, energy savings, grants or a referendum for an additional property tax lasting until construction bonds are repaid.
Finalize a Comprehensive Facilities Plan: Over the next few months, residents will have opportunities to review and provide input on the proposed options for the future of Abington Middle School. The District wants to hear what residents believe is the right plan for the District, the positives and negatives of each plan, and other ideas to address the needs of Abington Middle School. Visit the Middle School Options page to learn more and provide your feedback.
The District will use data from experienced consultants, staff opinion and community feedback to refine and evaluate the proposed options for the future of Abington Middle School. Recommendations will be presented to the Board of School Directors in early 2025.
Once the Board selects a plan, they must decide whether or not to go to a referendum to fund the project; this means residents in Abington Township and the Borough of Rockledge would vote to decide whether the plan will move forward. If the plan goes to a referendum, it can only move forward if approved by the voters who live in Abington Township and the Borough of Rockledge.
