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The district has said it is not possible to rebuild Doyle, Kutz, and Linden with the same footprint due to Act 34. Doesn’t Act 34 apply only if a new school is slated to be 20% larger (or more) than a current school?

Act 34 applies to all new construction and when renovations are 20% or more of the current footprint of a building. Therefore, rebuilding of Doyle, Kutz and/or Linden will require the district to comply with Act 34.  

Has the Administration or Board attempted to find a way to work around Act 34?

Conversations continue with our elected leaders. Act 34 has been on the books since the 1970s and will be a very difficult bill to repeal, as it would allow districts to build schools that are too big and too expensive for their respective communities. Even if our legislators take on this issue, it will likely take a long time, and we are unlikely to benefit from such changes. 

Is the district working solely with architecture firm KCBA?

The district may work with other architecture firms as we work through all of the construction that needs to be completed. If that becomes the case, those conversations will happen at our Finance and Operations Committee meetings.

What will the impact be on areas of the community where each of these schools is currently located if one or more are closed and/or combined to create one larger school?

If a school or schools is/are closed, the district will maintain these buildings and grounds to ensure they do not create negative issues for the community. Whether or not they can be sold is to be determined, largely based on if there are buyers for these properties. 

Why don’t we start renovating one school (i.e., Linden) and see how it goes? Then, the district can move on to the next school.

The Board has already approved the process for renovations at five schools: Barclay, Buckingham, Gayman, Titus, and Warwick. Those projects will be completed in two stages: first, two schools will be renovated, and then the other three will be renovated. If Doyle, Kutz, and Linden are renovated, that work will be completed after the first five schools are completed unless, of course, the district revises the order of the work to be conducted.

Will a combined Doyle, Kutz, and Linden have an impact on Lenape Middle School space?

If the district chooses to build a new school on the Doyle site, great care will be taken not to detract from spaces used by Lenape Middle School. 

A new mental health facility is going to be located near the Doyle property. What will the impact be for our students?

We will work with Doylestown Borough to understand the scope of the new health facility being built and will incorporate that information into this answer in the coming weeks. Keep in mind, even if nothing changes on the Doyle site, we already have students attending school on that property.

Will any of the options for Doyle, Kutz, and Linden impact realignment?

No. The work needed for realignment is focused on our high schools; therefore, the decisions for Doyle, Kutz, and Linden will not have an impact on realignment.

Many outside groups use Doyle, Kutz, and Linden. Will closing any of these schools affect outside groups?

Outside groups will be able to use/rent space in any of our schools. The district will work with organizations as we always do to identify space for them to use.

Don't larger schools have fewer extracurricular opportunities than small schools do? How will this impact a combined Doyle, Kutz, and Linden school?

If the decision to build a combined Doyle, Kutz, and Linden school is made, we will provide extracurricular opportunities for students proportionate to enrollment.

What is the projected enrollment per school for the foreseeable future?

Projected enrollment can be found on slide 3 of the town hall presentation. Given the steady decline in the enrollment, even with the implementation of full-day kindergarten, Â鶹´«Ã½ will have a smaller population than in the recent past. 

Will full-day kindergarten have an impact on enrollment?

Given the steady decline in the enrollment, even with the implementation of full-day kindergarten, Â鶹´«Ã½ will have a smaller population than in the recent past.

How can we ensure that we remain accurate in our enrollment projections?

Each year, our Leadership Team will update enrollment numbers on/around October 1. That is the date we have to report enrollment to the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE). We will be able to update projects at that time each year.

Do the enrollment projections include 6th grade?

No; enrollment projections do not include 6th grade. Once realignment is completed, 6th grade will be at our middle schools. 

How certain are we that the enrollment trend is going to continue to be lower?

Enrollment projections are just that – projections. We will update our projections each year on/around October 1. October 1 is an important date, because that is when we have to supply a number of data points to the Pennsylvania Department of Education, including enrollment.

If a new Doyle, Kutz, and Linden school is built, won’t that school have 400-500 more students than the district's largest elementary schools now?

No. The following are the populations of our large elementary schools: Groveland: 767; Butler: 758; Mill Creek: 740.

How has enrollment changed over time – from the 80s through today?

Student population has increased and decreased over time. Peak enrollment was 22,000. Through the 90s and early 2000s there was rapid growth in the district. Enrollment currently is 16,875. 

How will the District fund the renovations or the construction of a new school(s)?

The district will need to borrow debt to fund these capital projects. Currently, the district carries very little debt. As we borrow debt, our debt service (annual payment for debt) will be approximately $1 million for every $15 million borrowed

Is the Board permitted to commit to renovations and potentially new schools without voter approval?

Yes. The Board is a body of elected officials who have the authority to make decisions for the community. The town hall meetings are being held as a means to provide the Board with the opportunity to hear from the community.

There seems to be a perception in the community that combining Doyle, Kutz, and Linden into one school will not affect taxes but that renovating these schools will. Is that correct?

The district will need to take on debt for all of these projects. There will be tax implications for any/all work completed by the district.

Can the District avoid borrowing debt and simply raise taxes each year?

No. The costs of these projects require the district to borrow debt. Annual tax increases will not produce enough revenue to pay for these projects without borrowing debt.

Do the projected costs of these projects, especially those costs involving new schools, include the cost of traffic studies?

Those costs would be part of the project and are included in the design and planning process.

If a school or schools is/are closed and the building(s) and land is sold, can those funds be dedicated to help pay back the debt we borrow?

Yes. If we sell buildings or land, that is one-time funding, so it can be dedicated to the debt we have borrowed. It could also be put toward other one-time construction expenses. Those conversations and decisions will be made at the Finance and Operations Committee and/or at our Board meetings.

During the Jan. 30 town hall presentation, it was mentioned that it costs about $1 million per year in debt service to borrow $15 million worth of debt. It was then stated that $1 million is approximately the cost of salaries for eight professional staff members. Was this meant to suggest that eight staff members or more will need to be cut to pay for construction?

No. The presentation provided the comparison ($1 million = salaries for approximately eight staff members) for illustrative purposes, so everyone could understand how much $1 million is worth in our school district. 

Each option presented by the district has a cost associated with it. Why is the district presenting multiple options? 

We must ensure that we are thoughtful in our approach to taking on debt for renovation and potential building projects. We want to do all we can not to take money away from our educational program for students.

Further, we must be mindful that the vast majority of our funding comes from our local taxpayers. While we receive state and federal funding, it is local funding that makes up the most significant portion of our revenue.

We must also keep in mind that there are many taxpayers in our community who no longer have – or who never had – children in Â鶹´«Ã½ schools.

How were the financial (cost) projections determined?

These approximate costs are based on a cost per square footage calculation. For more information, see slide 21 from at the Nov. 20, 2024 meeting of the Finance and Operations Committee.

Can the district access any grants to help offset the cost of construction?

Grants to offset the cost of construction are not available. There may be opportunities for certain features of schools, such as security and technology upgrades, as we access for other schools now.

It seems the district is treating projected costs as fact. Why is this, especially when the two most viable options are only 7% apart?

Each of these projects would need to go out to bid, and the district must select the lowest responsible bidder. Until we receive actual costs from bids, we must rely on projected costs. These costs will be updated as we move forward and economics change.

Why does debt result in steady debt payments for many years? Why doesn’t it decrease over time?

When a district borrows debt, they do so via bonds. Bonds can be taken for any length of time, but for these projects we would most likely seek 20-, 25-, or 30-year bonds. Debt payments remain steady and then gradually decrease at the end of the life of the bonds when the district is close to paying back the funds they borrowed. Think of your mortgage payment. If you take out a 30-year mortgage on your home, the payments remain steady until the very end of your repayment schedule. 

Has the district calculated the projected tax implications based on each option?

This information will be added no later than February 19, 2025.

What exactly is HVAC?

HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.

Isn’t it easier to put HVAC in smaller schools than it is to add to larger schools?

Each building has its own conditions that affect installing HVAC. Installing HVAC in a small school is not easier or harder than it is in large schools.

Why is HVAC needed? On hot days, can’t we have remote learning days like we did during the pandemic?

Having proper HVAC in each school ensures we are able to keep our classrooms at comfortable and ideal temperatures for learning rather than having to close schools early – or for entire days – due to the heat. Having to alter school schedules impacts families. 

Would moving individual restrooms in classrooms allow for more space for HVAC?

Eliminating in-class restrooms would create more available square footage for vertical unit ventilators to be installed for heating and cooling. However, the loss of in-class bathrooms would be significant because it would require our primary students (grades K and 1) to have to use the hallway restrooms away from their classrooms.

If a new school or schools is/are built, will grade levels continue teaching the same content? Will there be consistency across each grade level across the district?

Yes. 

It seems like the buildings were neglected for years. Does the district have a plan in place to provide better maintenance for buildings moving forward?

The district will provide preventative maintenance to ensure we take care of our schools and buildings in the best conditions possible. The district is currently working on multi-year maintenance plans to ensure our schools do not fall into disrepair and so that we can effectively budget for maintenance moving forward. 

If the district renovates Doyle, Kutz, and Linden, how long would that extend the life of the schools?

We have posed this question to our architects and will update this answer no later than February 15.  

How will Â鶹´«Ã½ handle the fate of 300+ migratory Chimney Swifts (birds) that have made their summer home/nest in the chimney at Linden Elementary each year for many years?

The district has no immediate plans to demolish buildings if they are shuttered; therefore, these birds would not be unnecessarily harmed. 

Will there be a school safety study if a new school or schools is built? 

When schools are designed, there is always collaboration with local law enforcement to ensure we promote the safety of our students and staff. If we build a new school or schools, we will certainly work with our local police department to get their input on safety and security components of the work. 

If schools are combined, will class sizes be larger than they are now at Doyle, Kutz, and Linden?

 The size of a school will not impact class sizes. Generally speaking, we try to keep elementary class sizes and 22 or fewer students in grades K-2 and 25 or fewer students in grades 3-6.

How will the district ensure that a sense of community is built in large schools like it in smaller schools?

As we do in some of our larger elementary schools now – and similar to our smaller schools – community will be built by creating a welcoming atmosphere, hosting family and community events, and involving students, staff, and families in shaping the environment and ensuring a supportive school system. By prioritizing collaboration and engagement, school staff and an engaged and vibrant community can make - and has made - both larger and smaller buildings feel like home for everyone.

If a new combined school is built, where will it be located?

The Doyle site is the only site of the three (Doyle, Kutz, Linden) that has enough space to build a new school while keeping the current school operational.

Can additional floors be added to any of these three schools?

None of these schools were built for second (or third) floors to be added. 

Why isn’t the district considering new schools for the five already slated to be renovated? Why is the district talking about new construction only for Doyle, Kutz, and Linden?

Of all of our elementary schools, Doyle, Kutz, and Linden need more significant work and will be the most difficult to renovate. 

In 2023, the community was told that all 23 schools would remain open. What has changed?

It is unclear why the previous Board and superintendent changed course. They originally said they were going to close Linden, but prior to the 2023 election, they announced that Linden would remain open.  

Is the district considering the educational impact of renovating versus combining schools? We have heard a lot of about capital needs, but what about learning needs? Will new schools and/or combined schools provide better learning opportunities for students?  

Education has changed significantly since Doyle, Kutz, and Linden were built. Renovations will provide limited opportunities to create flexible spaces for collaborative and group learning. New construction will be based on future-focused planning for education.

If Doyle, Kutz, and/or Linden are closed, what will happen to the buildings?

The district will maintain any shuttered buildings until such time they are sold or repurposed.

Why is the idea of closing or combining schools proposed when the majority of the community seems to oppose these actions?

Multiple options are being considered. Not every option will appeal to everyone. One of the reasons we are holding town hall meetings is to provide opportunities for the Board to hear from the community about the proposed options for the future. It is important to remember that the respective communities of Doyle, Kutz, and Linden may oppose some of the options, but that does not necessarily mean that the majority of our community opposes them.

Will the district conduct traffic studies to determine if it will be safe to add more students and staff on the Doyle site?

Construction projects require land development processes, which always include traffic studies.  

Is there an option that displaces students for the least amount of time? What option is least disruptive?

The least disruptive option is to combine all three schools into one elementary school that would be built on the Doyle site.

If a building is renovated, will the district present plans as to how the construction will occur? How will students be affected?

The district is moving forward with renovating five schools. Renovations will begin at two of the schools and then renovations at the other three will commence. We are tentatively set to review draft renovation plans in March 2025 at the Finance and Operations Committee meeting.

Is the district considering building an elementary school with a student population of 1,150?

A school that welcomes students from Doyle, Kutz, and Linden will have a population of less than 1,000 students.

Is renovating all 8 schools still an option?

Yes. 

Several school districts around Â鶹´«Ã½ have recently completed renovations or built new schools. Will you speak with them or tour their schools for ideas and suggestions?

Several members of our Leadership Team have built buildings previously in the not-too-distant past; therefore, we have significant experience with renovations and construction. Additionally, we will likely visit other schools to see how their designs contribute to the educational experience of students. 

How were schools previously designed for a different educational model? How does it vary from today’s model of education?

Decades ago, a typical classroom consisted of rows of desks facing the teacher and a chalkboard for instructional purposes. Today’s classrooms are extremely flexible, with students moving between and among spaces for instruction, related services (e.g., speech, reading support, special education services, etc.). We also have much more special education programming today than in the past – even the recent past. Specialized programming requires various sized spaces for instruction and services that students must receive in order to receive a free and appropriate public education (FAPE).

Related resources:

Are there psychological impact studies on students attending a school that is two to three times their current school population? 

Studies often come to the following conclusion: School size is a more complex matter, and needs to be viewed in the context of other influences in order to determine its contribution to school-level achievement. Class size is arguably more important, which is why we do all we can to keep our class sizes at the following (approximate) levels: K (20); Grades 1-2 (22); Grades 3-6 (25). A community member submitted a list of research articles. We are reviewing those articles and will include additional links no later than February 19.

What are the numbers of walkers for each building? 

We have asked our principals and transportation department to provide updated numbers. We will provide that information no later than February 19.

Will we be able to sell land if we close a building? How will zoning affect sales?

To sell a school, there needs to be a buyer. Further, there are legal proceedings that are required. If we close a building and the district determines there is a buyer for it, there will be public meetings about the sale. Zoning is up to the local municipality, not the district.

Will specialized programming (i.e., emotional support, autism support) continue to be available at Kutz and Linden if the decision is to renovate these schools? Will those programs continue to exist if schools are combined?

Specialized programming will always be available in our schools – whether all eight are updated or if we combine elementary schools. These programs are based on the needs of students; we are not looking to remove any of these programs in the district. 

Does the district intend to review its grading practices? Will the district keep tiered instruction to effectively meet the needs of students who are above, on, and below grade level?

The district is committed to continuous improvement. We intend on reviewing grading practices and strengthening our practices of tiered instruction. 

If the decision to build a combined Doyle, Kutz, and Linden is made, the school will be three times larger than each of these schools now. Does that mean the school will have three times the staff? For example, will a combined Doyle, Kutz, and Linden have three art teachers, three gym teachers, etc.? 

We will staff the school according to student population and needs, just as we do now. Just because three schools may be combined if the option to build a Doyle, Kutz and Linden school is made doesn’t necessarily mean it will have three staff members in the specialist areas mentioned in the question, for example. 

What will the impact be on teachers and staff in a school that is closed for renovations?

A school will likely not be closed for renovations. If a school is going to be renovated, that work will be completed over a summer, a school year, and a second summer. Great care will be taken to phase the renovations to have the least impact possible on students and staff.

Will faculty and/or staff lose their jobs if the three schools are combined into a Doyle, Kutz and Linden school?

The district does not intend to reduce staff through any renovations or potential new buildings. Each year, a number of staff retire; therefore, if any positions might not be needed, it is likely that they will be reduced through retirements. It is important to remember that according to the timeline for completing a new school (if that is the option chosen), the new school would not open until the 2030-31 or 2031-32 school year. 

If Doyle, Kutz, and Linden school is built and new townhouses are constructed, won’t our schools be overpopulated?

We believe that our schools will all have capacity for increased enrollment. It may be necessary to redistrict a neighborhood, for example, if the school students would normally attend becomes overpopulated.  

Has the district commissioned a study as to how closing and combining schools will affect property values?

No. Such a study would need to be commissioned by the local municipality. 

How long will renovations for the first five schools take?

Once each building’s renovations start, they will span a summer, a school year, and another summer. This will allow significant heavy work to occur while students are not in school. We will have phasing plans for each renovation. We will tentatively start reviewing these plans in March 2025.

If the district builds a new school, when will it open?

The process to plan/design a school and work through land development and all associated work would mean that any new school would not likely open until the 2030-31 or 2031-32 school year. If we decide to build a new school, there will be a more definitive timeline developed for the project.