By SUSAN RUMBLE

Special to The Press

Looking ahead to continually increasing enrollment, the Parkland School Board and administration have authorized a feasibility study by RLPs Architects which is now in progress.

In a presentation at the March 21 meeting, Superintendent Dr. Mark Madson provided comments on the endeavor.

“People continue to want to move into Parkland School District,” he said.

“We want to look at where our enrollment is now and where it’s headed to see what we need to do.

“Should we add on? Should we build another middle school?

“We have so many great opportunities for our students. We need to make sure to maintain what we have and to grow.”

He recalled the feasibility study from 2015 pointed out an urgent need to address overcrowding in the primary grades.

Madson said it is a credit to the school board that they “planned accordingly” and got it right with expansion of elementary space.

“We have no immediate capacity concerns for kindergarten through grade five,” Madson said.

RLPS is focusing particularly on the size of population growth anticipated at the high school, and Orefield and Springhouse middle schools.

The architectural firm uses township data outlining future building plans across the district to project enrollment.

Madson displayed a graph using data collected in fall 2022 which shows the high school starting to reach its capacity in the later 2020s and continuing to operate as filled into the early 2030s with a deficit of open seats.

The superintendent noted the goal of the feasibility study is to not only to address capacity issues at the secondary schools but also to include space for a “robust” program of studies with academic, athletics and arts opportunities while planning for future educational needs of all students.

Madson reported the district and RLPS are seeking input from staff, students, the board and the community.

The firm is providing updates on the 2030 Vision webpage.

“We want to be very clear and consistent with the message. It is very important,” Madson said.

He summarized the purpose of the study.

“Our job is to have space and the best possible program for kids when they are ready to go through the doors,” he concluded.