The Cheltenham School District Board of School Directors met for a special legislative meeting to discuss the future operations and potential grade reconfiguration at Elkins Park School on Wednesday, January 29.
According to Kevin Kaufman, Director of Communications, superintendent Dr. Brian Scriven opened the meeting by reviewing the previously approved plan to retain rising fifth graders in their elementary schools and transition sixth graders to Cedarbrook Middle School beginning in the 2027-28 school year.
This plan includes additions to both Glenside Elementary and Cedarbrook. Due to the condition of Elkins Park School, administration has proposed an alternate timeline for expediting vacating, with an optional plan of relocating students by the end of the current school year, 2024-2025.
The Director of Business Services presented the current state of Elkins Park School, referencing the feasibility study that determined the school has surpassed its useful life. He outlined the financial implications, comparing the cost of the necessary construction projects, estimated at $34.7 million, to the significantly higher cost of rebuilding Elkins Park, projected between $65 and $80 million.
Officials then reviewed four proposed options for the board’s consideration:
- Status Quo – Remaining in Elkins Park for two more years.
- Leasing – Relocating Elkins Park students to a leased facility.
- Immediate Move – EP Open – Keeping fifth graders in their current elementary schools while relocating sixth graders to modular classrooms under the name of Elkins Park (Sixth Grade only).
- Immediate Move – EP Closed – Keeping fifth graders in their elementary schools and relocating sixth graders to modular classrooms and affiliated to Cedarbrook Middle School.
Dr. Scriven addressed additional options for the EPIC program, currently housed in the modulars. The assistant superintendent provided an overview of key project assumptions, elementary school enrollment capacities, instructional and programmatic impacts, and staffing considerations. The Director of Business Services then detailed the financial implications of each option, including embedded costs such as transportation, professional development, and food services.
Following the presentation, during public comment, the board heard comments and inquiries from faculty, staff and community members. The board then engaged in a discussion and posed clarifying questions to the administration.
The board will meet for another special legislative meeting on Tuesday, February 4 to vote on a final proposed course of action.
Slides from the presentation can be viewed below:
The full meeting can be watched below:
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