Dear Methacton Community,

I am writing to share an important update on the new Methacton High School Campus/building process.

After careful review of costs and funding options, I recommended to the Methacton School District Board of School Directors that we do not proceed forward into the next phase of the process and that we reevaluate the path forward to address the campus and building challenges.

While the need for facility improvements remains significant, the financial realities inclusive of declining revenue, rising costs, and economic uncertainties—make a $213 million dollar project financially unfeasible. Instead, I recommended that we explore alternative renovation options to ensure our students and staff have the best possible learning environment while maintaining Methacton’s high standards of education.

When we first began exploring how to best address the challenges associated with the campus and building, we estimated costs around $170 million. Costs have escalated to nearly $213 million and would require the district to borrow significantly more than anticipated, putting future financial stability at risk. Updated projections indicate that a completely new high school could result in deficits of $3 million to $8 million within the next four to five years. Given these financial challenges, moving forward with a new high school building at this time would not be a responsible decision for the district or our community.

However, our goal remains unchanged: to provide our students with the best education in facilities that support their success. The Board of School Directors and I remain committed to addressing the key priorities identified during the planning process. We must carefully evaluate how best to address the needs of the current high school building—focusing on campus safety, accessibility, and modernized educational spaces.

The work done so far in the campus planning process has been essential in helping us understand the extent of renovation needs and construction capabilities. The insights gained—particularly regarding educational space requirements—will be invaluable as we move in this new direction. We will continue to work with the design team from CHA and the Schrader Group to explore financially responsible solutions that meet the needs of our students and staff while respecting the financial realities of our district and community.

Collaboration and strategic decision-making will guide our next steps. I deeply appreciate the support, patience, and engagement of our community as we navigate these challenges. Ensuring that all Methacton students and staff have a safe, accessible, and high-quality learning environment is a responsibility we all share, and I am committed to finding sustainable ways to achieve that goal.

Sincerely,

Dr. David Zerbe
Superintendent