Unionville-Chadds Ford launches feasibility review for middle school rebuild; administration stresses 'no decisions have been made'

The Unionville‑Chadds Ford School District on May 13 opened a formal feasibility review to decide whether to rebuild its aging middle school, but officials repeatedly emphasized that the discussion is exploratory and that "no decisions have been made." Superintendent Dr. Sanville framed the presentation as the start of a community conversation and asked the board to approve a short feasibility study before any design or construction work begins.

The administration said the current middle school was built in 1972 and expanded with additions in 1980, 1987 and 1997, leaving many interior classrooms and hallways without natural light and with multiple, incompatible HVAC systems. Administration cited a replacement‑value estimate of $61.5 million for a repeat rebuild of the existing 175,000‑square‑foot facility (about $350 per square foot) and said the district expects roughly $46 million in targeted maintenance and upgrades over the next 30 years if the building remains in use (examples: HVAC, plumbing, bathrooms, asbestos remediation).

Presenters said a new school—accounting for demolition, site work and inflation—could come in near $100 million. Staff also said short‑term work to keep the existing building safe and operational would continue regardless of a long‑term decision, estimating about $1.6 million in investments over the next five years, including a fire‑alarm replacement this summer and roof repairs.

To test feasibility, administration proposed a $32,000 study by an architect the district has used previously (firm name appears variably in the meeting record). The feasibility scope would include siting options on district property, environmental and zoning constraints, and order‑of‑magnitude cost estimates. If the board approves the feasibility study at the June meeting, staff said the consultant would work through the winter and the board would take a January–February vote on whether to proceed to design and borrowing steps.

Student representatives and parents who spoke during the discussion said they commonly hear complaints about the building’s lack of natural light. Two students who had recently completed middle school recalled peers describing the interior as dark and noted some recent improvements (for example, a renovated cafeteria) but said many spaces remain dated.

The superintendent and board members described several decision points: board votes on approving the feasibility study, later votes to issue an RFP and engage an architect for design, and a separate decision point tied to a 2026 bond‑refinancing opportunity that could affect the district's ability to structure long‑term repayment. Administration said the district's current debt schedule gives it flexibility but that continuing would require multiple future votes.

The board did not take a vote on building construction on May 13; the feasibility‑study approval is expected to appear as a voting item at the June meeting.