Dr. Jeffrey S. Fecher, superintendent of the Abington School District, issued a memo to families today regarding the May 20 vote on a $285 million bond to build a new middle school.

If approved by voters, the referendum would provide funding for construction of a new Middle School.

The current school “cannot keep pace with the needs of today’s students”, Dr. Fecher wrote, noting that the “building’s age has made it increasingly difficult to maintain while supporting modern education.”

In late January, the Abington Board of School Directors voted unanimously to put a $285 million Abington Middle School investment plan on the ballot during the primary election. A presentation titled “Opinions of Abington Residents On Investments In Their Middle School” from January 14 included feedback from “500 adults who reflect the demographics of ASD”. 

Dr. Fecher’s full letter is below:

On May 20, Abington School District will ask Abington Township and Borough of Rockledge residents to vote on a $285 million bond to build a new Middle School. 

This proposal comes at a critical time. Abington Middle School, which has served our community well for 60 years, was not designed as a middle school and cannot keep pace with the needs of today’s students. The building’s age has made it increasingly difficult to maintain while supporting modern education. After an extensive process that included input from parents and guardians, staff, and residents, the District determined that constructing a new Middle School is the best path forward for our students, staff, and community.

A new Middle School will offer a modern learning environment designed to meet both current needs and future opportunities. The building’s layout will support a “small school community” approach, with grade-specific classrooms and collaborative spaces that foster personalized learning and a sense of belonging. 

Additionally, the new facility will prioritize accessibility, safety, and security for all students and staff. Its flexible design will allow us to adapt more easily to changes in educational programming, social-emotional support, and extracurricular activities. With energy-efficient infrastructure, the building will also reduce ongoing maintenance costs. Ultimately, this new school will serve our community for generations to come.

Building a new Middle School also avoids disrupting student education during a multi-year construction process. A renovation project would mean relocating students and teachers to areas of the building not under construction, or using modular classrooms during construction; building a new school allows students to continue learning in the current Middle School until the new one is completed.  

In Pennsylvania, voter-approved funding is an essential tool for school districts to make significant investments to improve education and facilities without diverting resources from classrooms and programming. The District is seeking voter approval for this funding because a referendum ensures that residents have a direct voice in decisions that impact public education and local tax rates. 

I encourage all District residents to participate in this important community decision by voting on or before May 20. For more information on this proposed plan, including how to calculate the individual tax impact on your property and details on when and where to cast your ballot, please visit OneASDOneFuture.org. 

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