By SUSAN RUMBLE

Special to The Press

Since late January, a team from RLPS Architects has been working with the Parkland School District administration and board on a feasibility study to address building capacity for increased enrollment and future growth.

Superintendent Dr. Mark Madson commented on the matter.

“We need to look at where our enrollment is now and where we’re headed and what we need to do,” Madson said. “People continue to want to move into Parkland School District.

“Projects take a few years, so we have to plan ahead.”

He noted the study focuses on capacity at the high school and middle schools.

“There are no immediate concerns for kindergarten through fifth grade capacity,” Madson said.

At the June 20 meeting, architect Chris Linkey reported RLPS has been using data analysis, along with a walk through and evaluation of each district building.

“We came in early with some options,” Linkey said.

He presented various combinations of choices for meeting future needs.

One possibility is to establish a ninth grade wing at the high school at an estimated cost of $78.8 million; a ninth grade stand-alone center with district assembly spaces at $128.3 million or a ninth grade center without the district spaces at $110.1 million.

Another consideration is to build a third middle school in a new location at a predicted cost of $163.5 million, while maintaining Orefield and Springhouse middle schools.

A different configuration would be construction of a new building for grades eight and nine at a cost of $201.5 million while keeping OMS and SMS for grades six and seven.

The most elaborate option would be a new high school in a different location at a cost of $227.8 million and also a new middle school at $163.5 million.

Costs provided are at the higher range and could be somewhat lower.

The announced date for a decision on the matter was the July 18 meeting.

However, board member Lisa Roth commented.

We are still plugging along,” Roth said.

She noted the importance of looking at all of the details and costs before making the important decision on which way to proceed.

Madson expressed comments on the feasibility study.

“We don’t have the recommendation ready,” he said. “We are taking our time and are hopeful to bring it in August.”

“We are closer to potentially eliminating one of the options.”

The superintendent said the decision will be based on doing what is best for students and also looking at the costs associated with maintenance of the current facilities.