Downingtown superintendent outlines three options, seeks community feedback on district-owned property
May 30, 2024 | Downingtown Area SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania
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Bob O'Donnell, superintendent of the Downingtown Area School District, told a community meeting the district is exploring options for a parcel it purchased in 2006 and is seeking resident feedback before the school board considers any sale.
"The following three uses have generated potentially the highest and best value for the school district," O'Donnell said, listing warehousing and distribution, a light industrial or business park compatible with current zoning, and an "active adult" residential proposal that would require a zoning change. He said the district must balance community concerns, zoning constraints and its fiduciary responsibility under the school code to obtain a fair and reasonable price for district property.
Why it matters: Proceeds from any sale would fund capital needs the district identified in its strategic planning process. O'Donnell said the district serves about 13,250 students and that enrollment projections from consultant FutureThink show continued growth in southern attendance areas such as Bradford Heights, which affects how one-time and recurring funds should be prioritized.
Financial context: O'Donnell said the district set aside $122 million in capital improvements in 2020, has spent roughly $70 million on recent east- and west-side projects and has about $2 million remaining in that particular fund. He noted some debt service ends in 2033, which would free up about $8 million a year in capacity for future capital needs. He said West Bradford Elementary and Beaver Creek are among projects moving forward.
Process and roles: O'Donnell emphasized that the district decides whether and to whom to sell the land, while municipal governments control zoning and permitted uses. He cautioned the sale process can be lengthy — he estimated that sale proceeds could be realized four to five years after the process begins — and said prior agreements with the Hankin Group and Audubon did not produce completed sales.
Next steps and public engagement: The district will compile written feedback and gallery-walk notes from the evening and review them at the board's June 12 meeting. O'Donnell said the district hopes to reach a sales agreement in summer or fall but reiterated the timeline depends on negotiations and any required zoning actions. Board members will be available in the lobby after the session, and the district posted contact and public-comment information at dasd.org/board.
O'Donnell framed the meeting as a listening session and asked attendees to seek common ground while recognizing divergent views in the community. The board will consider public input and staff recommendations at its next regular meeting.
"The following three uses have generated potentially the highest and best value for the school district," O'Donnell said, listing warehousing and distribution, a light industrial or business park compatible with current zoning, and an "active adult" residential proposal that would require a zoning change. He said the district must balance community concerns, zoning constraints and its fiduciary responsibility under the school code to obtain a fair and reasonable price for district property.
Why it matters: Proceeds from any sale would fund capital needs the district identified in its strategic planning process. O'Donnell said the district serves about 13,250 students and that enrollment projections from consultant FutureThink show continued growth in southern attendance areas such as Bradford Heights, which affects how one-time and recurring funds should be prioritized.
Financial context: O'Donnell said the district set aside $122 million in capital improvements in 2020, has spent roughly $70 million on recent east- and west-side projects and has about $2 million remaining in that particular fund. He noted some debt service ends in 2033, which would free up about $8 million a year in capacity for future capital needs. He said West Bradford Elementary and Beaver Creek are among projects moving forward.
Process and roles: O'Donnell emphasized that the district decides whether and to whom to sell the land, while municipal governments control zoning and permitted uses. He cautioned the sale process can be lengthy — he estimated that sale proceeds could be realized four to five years after the process begins — and said prior agreements with the Hankin Group and Audubon did not produce completed sales.
Next steps and public engagement: The district will compile written feedback and gallery-walk notes from the evening and review them at the board's June 12 meeting. O'Donnell said the district hopes to reach a sales agreement in summer or fall but reiterated the timeline depends on negotiations and any required zoning actions. Board members will be available in the lobby after the session, and the district posted contact and public-comment information at dasd.org/board.
O'Donnell framed the meeting as a listening session and asked attendees to seek common ground while recognizing divergent views in the community. The board will consider public input and staff recommendations at its next regular meeting.
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