Building The New Ithan Elementary School

BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS OF THE RADNOR TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING NI ACCORDANCE WITH ACT 34 AND PLANCON D

TO: AL RESIDENTS OF THE RADNOR TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT

Please take notice that a public hearing wil be held in the Cafeteria of the Ithan Elementary School, 695 Clyde Road, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania 19010, on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 at 6:00 PM, prevailing time, relating to the planning, designing, acquiring, construction, and furnishing of the new Ithan Elementary School (grades K-5), Delaware County, Pennsylvania (herein "Elementary School Project") ni accordance with Act 34 of the Pennsylvania Legislature.

A description of the Elementary School Project, including the facts with respect to the educational, physical, administrative, budgetary, and fiscal matters relating to the Elementary School Project, and certain other information wil be presented and wil be available for consideration at the public hearing on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 and from Wednesday, September 25, 2024 until the public hearing during regular business hours (8:00 AM to 4:00 PM), Monday through Friday, at the offices of the Secretary of the Board of School Directors at the School District's Administration Office located at 135 South Wayne Avenue, Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087.

The Board of School Directors of the School Directors by Resolution duly adopted has authorized the following:

Maximum Project Cost
$77,755,210

Maximum Building Construction Cost
$55,136,935

This public hearing is being held with respect to the Elementary School Project pursuant to the requirements of the Pennsylvania Public School code of 1949, approved March 10, 1949, as amended and supplemented, including amendments made pursuant ot Act 34 of the Session of 1973 of the General Assembly.

Residents and employees of the School District may submit written comments regarding the Elementary School Project no later than 3:30 PM on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. Such written comments should be mailed via first class U.S. mail or hand delivered (electronic mail shall not constitute acceptable delivery) to:

Brian Pawling
Board Secretary
Radnor Township School District
135 South Wayne Avenue
Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087

The written comments shall include the name and address of the person submitting the comments, identification of the sender as a District resident or employee, and a description of the support or objection to the Elementary School Project. To be of most benefit, a statement of objection should be followed by a viable alternative solution.

Any and all interested persons may further appear at and attend the public hearing and wil be given reasonable opportunity to be heard at such public hearing. Sign-in sheets wil be available in the Cafeteria of the Ithan Elementary School at the time of the hearing. The Board wil call upon individuals signing such sign-in sheets in the order in which they appear. Comments will be limited to five (5) minutes per interested person. No person shall be allowed to speak a second time until al parties commenting the first time have been heard. The Board will allow public comment and/or questioning until the conclusion of the hearing.

Written comments regarding the Elementary School Project will also be received by the Secretary of the Board of School Directors at the School District's Administration Office until 3:30 PM, Friday, November 15, 2024. Such written comments should be mailed via fist class U.S. mail or hand delivered (electronic mail shall not be acceptable delivery)at the address noted above.

BY THE ORDER OF THE BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS

RADNOR TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT
Delaware County, Pennsylvania

Brian Pawling
Secretary of the Board of School Directors

The Act 34 Booklet contains a description of the project, reasoning and justification, along with detailed financial information. The booklet was approved at the September 24, 2024 Board Business Meeting.

Act 34 Booklet

1/21/2025 Meeting SitelogiQ presented the results of the public bid of the temporary HVAC system of the current Ithan Elementary School with a recommendation to award to the lowest responsible bidder. 

11/19/2024 Regular Business Meeting The School Board approved the results of the Act 34 hearing as well as releasing for public bid plans and specifications for the temporary HVAC system at the current Ithan Elementary School building. 

Breslin Architecture along with SitelogiQ, reviewed the results of the Act 34 hearing as well as the temporary HVAC systems needed for the current Ithan Elementary School building. 

Administration along with design professionals and legal counsel held an Act 34 public hearing at Ithan Elementary School. 

9/24/2024 Regular Business Meeting The School Board approved the Act 34 Resolution and legal notice to proceed with the Act 34 hearing. 

9/17/2024 Facilities Committee Meeting Update on Building the New Ithan Elementary with review of the upcoming Act 34 Resolution and legal notice. 

6/11/2024 Regular Business Meeting The School Board approved the Design Development layout renderings and construction cost estimates leading the way to Construction Document phase. 

Progress update. SitelogiQ presented recommended revisions to the building based on the Value Engineering options selected. 

SiteLogiQ presented Value Engineering options as well as a review of the Act 34 threshold and Design Development estimated costs.

Progress update. SiteLogiQ presented Value Engineering options for the project.

Progress update on Design Development and Cost Estimate. Work continued on the mechanical system, structural and geotechnical design options. Full presentation presented at the April 16, 2024 Business Meeting. 

On Wednesday, February 7, Breslin Architects led a discussion of the Steering Committee and provided a site plan update; shared results of end user meetings; and reviewed floor plan revisions based on those meetings. The team will provide another update at the February Facilities Committee meeting.

On Wednesday, January 17 at 4:30 p.m. in the IES cafeteria, our team gave an update on the New Ithan Elementary School project, including a presentation of the Design Development. This event was open to the public.

Community Meeting PowerPoint Presentation

Watch the presentation

Conceptual video rendering

During a Special Board Meeting, in lieu of the regularly scheduled Facilities Committee Meeting, Breslin Architects and SitelogIQ provided an update to the Board on the Roberts Road connection and maintenance yard.

·      During the early parts of January, three day-long End User Meetings were held at Ithan Elementary with select Ithan department staff and district administration.

·      Meetings were led by members of Breslin Architecture, D’Huy Engineering, and ELA Civil Engineers to discuss space programming, services, how rooms would operate, as well as room sizes and locations.

Damion Spahr (Sitelogiq Construction Management) provided the committee with an update on schedule, upcoming meetings, and next steps in building the new Ithan Elementary as a result of the October Board approval of schematic design.

The Board authorized Breslin Architects to proceed to the Design Development Phase for the New Ithan Elementary School Building based on the Schematic Design of building and site, estimated schedule, and estimated construction budget as presented.

New Ithan Elementary Schematic Design Update

The RTSB held a Special Meeting of the Board to discuss the Ithan project. You can watch the meeting on our YouTube channel. 

On Wednesday, October 4 at 6 p.m. our team gave an update on the New Ithan Elementary School project, including a presentation of the Schematic Design. This event was open to the public. October 4 Community Meeting

Administration presented schematic plans and current cost estimates for the New Ithan Elementary School to recommended for Board approval at the October Business Meeting.  Ithan Schematic Design Presentation 9.26.23 

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.