Building The New Ithan Elementary School

At their May 30, 2023 Regular Business Meeting, the School Board authorized Breslin Architects to move into the schematic design phase for the New Ithan Elementary School.

Construction management services will be added to the design team as we enter the schematic phase.  This service helps us refine the budget, work through site logistics and helps inform construction phasing plans.   The construction manager becomes part of our team through bidding and the construction of the building.

Site due diligence surveys, reports and results will continue in the next month and into the schematic phase.

On Thursday, May 25, 2023 the administration along with Steve Behrens of Breslin Architects presented an update on progress of the New Ithan Elementary project in an evening community meeting.

Watch the Presentation (video)

Community Meeting Presentation (pdf)

On May 24, 2023, RTSD Administration met with IES Faculty and Staff to update them on the project to date.

Presented New Ithan Programming Phase Recommendations to the Facilities Committee at the May 23, 2023 Facilities Commitee Meeting.

The full Steering Committee reconvened to continue reviewing final concept and recommendation for concluding the programming phase and move into schematic phase upon Board approval. 

The full steering committee met to hear site due diligence work updates, building programming progress, and to review two program layouts for the proposed building location. Breslin Architects presented for committee feedback, two model plans and reviewed pros and cons for each as they relate to size, program goals, flexibility, and Act 34 limits. 

As part of the early survey work for land development on the New Ithan project, RTSD will be conducting a traffic survey in the neighborhoods surrounding IES in May or early June. 

On one representative school day, RTSD engineers will study six (6) intersections around the Ithan Elementary School neighborhood.  The count is done by installing cameras and tracking vehicle crossings from 6-10am and from 3-6pm.  They count turns (left, right, straight) and they classify by vehicle (car, truck, bus).  

Traffic count cables will be installed at the same intersections for a period of 6 consecutive days to record crossings 24/7.  

Four (4) intersections were selected by the engineers per government guidelines.  RTSD also consulted with the Radnor Township engineer who recommended two (2) additional intersections based on his knowledge of local “shortcuts”. 

Ithan Programming Meeting:  An administrative group met to continue work on confirming programming needs for the New IES Building.  The Full Steering Committee will meet again on May 3.

Administration met with Architect and Engineer for a site due diligence update.  Onsite surveys for topography, underground utility identification and wetland identification are underway.  Shade tree and urban forest evaluation is being scheduled.  Application for traffic study has been submitted and will be conducted prior to end of school year.

At the April 18, 2023 Facilities Committee Meeting, a brief update was given of the progress of the Ithan Elementary project. Update is at minute 22:00 of the recording. 

Programming Meeting:  An administrative group met to review a representative site model, potential school building size and further discuss programming needs and related PA ACT 34 Limit criteria and how it can affect planning and budget.  A preliminary floor plan was reviewed to aid in refining programming needs for IES and RTSD on balance.  Follow up meeting is scheduled for 5/26/23.

Steering Committee Members visited Hays Elementary in Allentown to tour a recent Breslin project.  The Hays staff was welcoming and gave an all-access tour that showcased a modern elementary school building.  Although Hays has an urban setting, it reflects a creative and practical design that engages its environment, its community and fully supports its student population.  The committee was able to see the students and staff in action during a school day and hear how the vision matches the reality.

Over Spring Break, Steering Committee Members visited Springfield Literacy Center and Springfield High School to meet with other Delaware County administrators, to gain prospective on school construction and tour new buildings for lessons and inspiration.

At a full steering committee meeting Breslin Architects presented refined options for the site layout.  The committee discussed pros and cons for three potential site locations and several building shapes.  The administration asked the design team to pursue further development of one site concept based on feedback from the steering committee, and on recommendations from the architects and civil engineer.  The potential new building and surrounding amenities could be sited favorably in the center of the property and respond to the existing site slopes, storm water runoff, woods, and traffic flow while allowing for phased construction alongside the existing Ithan Elementary.  

The committee will begin visiting some local and regional schools to tour both new and traditional features for innovation and inspiration.

3/28/23 Regular Business Meeting   Site Due Diligence Engineering Proposal approved as part of the Building the New Ithan Elementary architectural development process. Civil engineering begins, including traffic study, environmental study, geotechnical engineering, utility locating, soil testing, and topographical surveys are being scheduled for the site.  

March 21 Facilities Committee Agenda Item:  Site Due Diligence Engineering Proposal presented for Board approval as part of the Building the New Ithan Elementary architectural development process.

New Ithan Programming Meeting:  An administrative group met onsite at IES to walk the grounds with Breslin Architects and discuss potential site restrictions, challenges, and opportunities.  Committee tours are being planned to visit the recent RHS Accessibility and Wellness project, and several new local elementary schools. The next full meeting of the Full Steering Committee at IES 3/29/2023.

The full steering committee met to review feedback and continue discussions on the development of a vision for the New Ithan Elementary School, and on prioritization of building needs.  Breslin Architects presented site layout options and discussed pros and cons.  Site due diligence work continues, and administrative programming meetings will continue to take place to further define the site location.

New Ithan Programming Meeting:  An administrative group met to discuss building size, building space requirements, learning support and ACT 34 parameters.  Student body size, number of classrooms, classroom arrangement concepts, and gymnasium/cafeteria/auditorium functions are just a few examples of programming considerations.  Program parameters help dictate building size and shape, therefore, informing where the building can fit on the site.

At the February 1 meeting of the steering committee,  Breslin Architects  shared updates on preliminary Land Development research and  feedback from our Civil Engineer.  Administration and the Design Team will continue to  work with zoning authorities, and will  coordinate community meetings in the near future.  Administration is recommending that a new Ithan Elementary School building be constructed on site without displacing students and staff.  Architects are currently evaluating District programming needs, site restrictions and best location on site for the new building.

On January 18, 2023 the newly formed Building The Future: The New Ithan Elementary School Steering Committee met in person for its first meeting. Orientation included mention of the Feasibility Study that led to the decision to rebuild Ithan Elementary School.  Breslin Architects discussed the estimated project timeline that takes us from concepts, design, land development, and bidding to contracting, construction, and ultimately the opening of a new learning environment.  The project is expected to take 4 – 6 years.  Administration will seek proposals on construction management services, meet with zoning authorities and hold community meetings in the near future.  The steering committee will be meeting monthly.   

At the December 6 meeting, the planning committee discussed convening a steering committee for both the New Ithan Elementary School and the Administration Building, obtain the site engineering work checklist and begin to schedule work, and build a communications plan and create a New Ithan Elementary School webpage. The next meeting of the Steering Committee will be January 3, 2023. Moving forward the New Ithan Elementary School Project steering committee will meet on the first Tuesday of each month. 

At the November 29, 2022 Board Business Meeting, the Board approved the agreement with Breslin Ridyard Fadero Architects for design and bidding of the Ithan Elementary School Project. 

At the September 20, 2022 Facilities Committee Meeting, Administration presented a preliminary time frame for replacing Ithan Elementary School which included phases and timing estimates of the potential 48-64 month project.  Proposed Timeline.

At the June 28, 2022 Board Business Meeting the Board approved the Administration’s recommendation to replace Ithan Elementary School on the current grounds based on a thorough Feasibility study and community feedback. The Board authorized the Administration to Develop a Timeline and Plan to Replace Ithan Elementary School.