Tredyffrin-Easttown board authorizes superintendent to close on 1200 West Swedesford Road

The Tredyffrin-Easttown School District board on April 1 authorized the superintendent to proceed with closing on the purchase of 1200 West Swedesford Road in Berwyn, approving a resolution that delegates authority to complete the transaction and take related steps.

Ken Roos, the district solicitor, told the board the "much anticipated closing for this property is scheduled for tomorrow" and outlined five categories of authority the resolution grants: wiring funds to escrow, executing ancillary documents (deeds and transfer tax affidavits), exercising powers under the eminent domain code and the Realty Transfer Tax Act as needed to seek exemption from realty transfer taxes, entering a property-management agreement for holdover tenants, and ratifying prior actions the superintendent has taken in connection with the purchase.

The property, listed in the meeting materials as owned by "PA MD NNN Office South Point LLC," is described in the agenda as approximately 15 acres with an existing 86,622-square-foot building (UPI 43-10-28) and is under agreement of sale with the district. Roos said the purchase agreement requires a commercially reasonable property-management agreement because some tenants will remain in place after the closing.

Members of the public who spoke at the meeting generally supported the purchase while raising questions about cost and long-term use. Arthur Zdrozny of Chesterbrook said the acquisition was important to "maintain the quality of education" and urged the district to maximize use of the building, including the third floor. "If you can maximize the use of this property you're going to purchase, I would appreciate that," Zdrozny said, and he suggested considering a 1% earned income tax to spread the tax burden.

An administration representative answered that "the 3rd floor of the building will be used" though not entirely; part will be held as shelf space and intended as an "expansion slot" for future programs.

Ray Clark of Malvern congratulated the administration and asked for a more detailed timeline and whether a property-management firm had been selected. Roos and the superintendent said Brandywine Property Management has been identified and that a draft contract exists but cannot be disclosed until after closing; Roos added the district expects to provide additional timeline clarity on redistricting and program rollouts before the summer.

The presiding officer called for a voice vote on the resolution; members responded "aye," and the presiding officer announced the motion passed. The transcript records the vote as a voice vote and does not include a roll-call tally or named votes.

Roos also disclosed that the board had met in executive session before the meeting to discuss the real estate transaction, fulfilling the Pennsylvania Sunshine Act requirement. The superintendent and administration will proceed to complete closing steps outlined in the resolution; Roos said the district intends to finalize remaining timelines and provide more specifics to the public by early summer.

The district's next meetings are scheduled at Conestoga High School: a budget workshop April 8, 2024, and a regular board meeting April 29, 2024. The closing on the property was represented at the meeting as scheduled for April 2, 2024.