Upper Dublin School District

To provide facilities aligned with a high-quality student learning experience, Upper Dublin School District is committed to strategic and thoughtful planning for all facility needs. As part of our ongoing due diligence, our teams conduct regular assessments of district buildings informed by objective third-party consultants. These specialists have assisted us in creating detailed inventories of the systems, structures, and other critical elements of our properties and have developed plans for when we can expect that maintenance or replacement will be necessary. This process informs our budget planning, allowing us to be proactive and financially prepared for future expenses.

Given the age of the Jarrettown facility's critical systems, further investigation is required to determine how we can best address the building's needs.

• Building Age: As the oldest property in the Upper Dublin School District, Jarrettown Elementary was originally built in 1955, with renovations completed in 1965, 1989, and 1996.

• Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing Systems: Evaluations have determined that key building systems, including HVAC, control systems, and low-voltage infrastructure, have exceeded their expected lifespan. This not only compromises their functionality but also makes it increasingly challenging to source replacement parts, many of which are no longer available.

• ADA Compliance: While appropriate accommodations have been made to support accessibility needs, Jarrettown continues to have accessibility challenges, such as absence of an elevator, doors with limited ramp access, and restroom accessibility features.

• Building Deterioration: Both the interior and exterior of the building are showing signs of age-related deterioration. This includes issues with playground equipment, windows, asphalt, brickwork, interior finishes, and roofing materials.

• Essential Spaces: The Media Center, support areas, gymnasium, cafeteria, and other spaces present logistical challenges.

As depicted in the map above, Jarrettown has undergone four distinct renovations since its original construction in 1955. These successive renovations have resulted in a lack of integration among the building's systems, leading to inefficiencies and incompatibilities in its infrastructure. As a result, an evaluation has been initiated to assess whether the building is a suitable candidate for further renovation.

The ICS Construction Management team, which plays a key role in guiding our capital project planning, has presented the following concepts and cost estimates to address necessary facility improvements for Jarrettown Elementary. The four proposed options range from a targeted renovation to a full rebuild. These concepts are intended to support ongoing discussions, and elements from different options may be combined or modified in the final decision-making process. For a fuller understanding of these options, see this presentation shared at the December 11, 2024 Finance Committee meeting.

The Board will review and discuss the financial implications of the project throughout Spring 2025. No decisions have been made at this time. Key factors to be evaluated include the current funds available in capital reserves, the potential for incurred debt, and the various borrowing options that may be available to support these improvements.

It is essential to recognize that construction costs have significantly increased in recent years, which is reflected in the cost projections provided by ICS. These rising costs will impact the overall financial planning for the project, and the Board will carefully consider the long-term financial sustainability of each option. Stakeholder input and careful planning will be integral to making an informed decision that aligns with the district’s fiscal responsibilities and educational priorities.

To ensure a comprehensive approach to this process, the district is committed to gathering input from key stakeholders. A staff survey was distributed to all Jarrettown employees to gain insight into the facility's current limitations and to identify opportunities for improvement. Additionally, the Board has toured our elementary spaces at both Jarrettown and Maple Glen Elementary, the latter being the district’s newest elementary facility, in order to compare and better understand the challenges faced at Jarrettown firsthand.

In an effort to engage the broader community, the district offered an Open House on Thursday, March 27. This event was open to the public and offered attendees guided tours of the building. District administrators, along with facilities experts from ICS, were present to provide insights into the building's infrastructure and answer questions. Please see the video recording of the tour here:

Residents of Upper Dublin Township are invited to participate in an anonymous survey regarding the district's future planning for Jarrettown Elementary. Collective feedback will be shared with the Board of School Directors to inform their decision-making process. We recommend viewing a video recording of our Open House tours before completing the survey.

While Jarrettown Elementary has been identified as a facilities priority warranting additional investigation, we feel it is important to emphasize that we strive for the continuous improvement of the facilities for all of our learners. In the last two years alone, we have made significant improvements across several district buildings:

• Fort Washington Elementary: New ventilation systems, updated classroom floors, ceilings, and lighting, along with ADA accessibility improvements to all building and classroom entryways. We also installed a new sprinkler system and a geothermal heating and cooling system with water source heat pumps, which is among the most energy-efficient systems available.

• Maple Glen Elementary: Replacement of the gymnasium roof, boiler, and water heater.

• Thomas Fitzwater Elementary: Replacement of the building's ventilation system, boiler, and lighting. A new sprinkler system was also installed.

• Jarrettown Elementary: Installation of an ADA-compliant playset and paving of the front playground.

• Sandy Run Middle School: Construction was completed of our brand-new, 200,000 square foot middle school facility in September 2022.

• Upper Dublin High School: Improvements to the pool and natatorium, including a new ventilation system and UV water treatment. The softball fields are scheduled to be completed in March, with new fencing for both varsity and JV fields. The varsity field underwent an infield rebuild, including new dugouts and bullpens.