The current Charles F. Patton Middle School building.
Photo by Jennifer Ding
Alicia Chou ‘27
NEWS EDITOR
In January 2024, the School Board initiated a feasibility study in collaboration with local architectural firm Marotta/Main. The study assessed the current state of the middle school building and identified the most practicable and sustainable course of action for its future.
The middle school building has remained relatively the same since 1972, when it was first built. Most of its systems, including electricity and ventilation, have not been changed, posing potential health risks from declining air quality and asbestos-containing materials. Additionally, 70 percent of the classrooms lack natural light. “This is the single middle school for our district and it looks very similar to a prison,” said Brian Levy-Polis, a resident of Pocopson Township.
Going into the study, three options were proposed to address the concerns. The first option, “maintain,” would restore the current building and update its systems. However, this plan is not sustainable and would require continuous ongoing investments. The second option, “renovate,” would completely rework the current structure and add features to improve natural lighting and address other needs. The third option, “replace,” involves constructing a new middle school near the site. The estimated costs of each plan are $67,340,061; $113,173,141; and $119,760,913; respectively.
Community members have raised concerns about the financial implications of the project. In the Virtual Special Board Meeting on January 6, Manav Maheshwari, a resident of Chadds Ford Township, voiced his perspective: “It baffles me how such a big outlay of $120 million or more can not increase our real estate taxes substantially; it’s just impossible.” In response, District Superintendent Dr. John Sanville said, “The middle school would be funded through a series of bond issues.” He emphasized that any tax increases would remain under the Act 1 Index, a calculation by the Pennsylvania Department of Education that limits the amount school districts can increase property taxes by 3 percent each year.
In January 2025, Marotta/Main concluded the feasibility study and recommended replacing the middle school building as the most cost-effective and sustainable solution. This option would optimize learning environments, minimize educational disruptions during construction, and reduce future operational costs. However, there are also negative aspects to this plan. “[Replacement] is the most expensive option – for sure – and there would still be some degree [of disruption], not so much in terms of education, within the building…that would make things difficult but not insurmountable,” said Dr. Sanville.
The Board will vote on February 18 to decide which option to pursue. “The decision that each of us [is] going to make is going to be based on value judgments … of the elements of the three proposals, and that'll be done in the context of those costs that are attached with each one,” said Steve Simonson, Personnel Chair of the Board.
