Superintendent outlines redistricting plan, Clifton Heights timeline and plan for hospital property

Superintendent Dr. Daniel McGary told the Upper Darby School District Board of School Directors that the district has held 26 in-person and virtual community engagement sessions so far this year and is preparing for redistricting tied to the planned closure of Charles Kelly Elementary and the opening of Clifton Heights Middle School.

''Dr. McGary said the middle school's opening is currently targeted for August 2026 but cautioned construction delays could push that date later. He said the district has begun redistricting work and that details on where elementary students will be reassigned will be shared as plans firm up.

''On district facilities, Dr. McGary said the district purchased the Delaware County Memorial Hospital property and that he will seek board permission at a future meeting to form a subcommittee to explore possible uses. "We are very supportive of a hospital remaining at its current location, but once it became clear that a hospital would no longer exist here in the community, we made a strong push to purchase the property," he said. He emphasized the request for subcommittee authority was not before the board that night.

''Dr. McGary also highlighted ongoing concerns tied to the state budget process, saying Pennsylvania has not yet passed a state budget and urging families and staff to contact elected officials about funding. He described recent lock-in and lockout incidents at Upper Darby High School and said the district continues to partner with the Upper Darby Police Department on active-shooter drills and debriefs.

''Student safety concerns raised during public comment were explicitly linked to the redistricting conversation: public commenter Ryan Bo asked the board to consider pedestrian safety at Bernett Road after a nearby accident and warned that some students have difficulty judging road risk. "As you are redrawing these areas for these elementary schools, there are lots of parents like myself who are worried about those crossings," Ryan Bo said.

''The superintendent also reviewed family-facing programming the district is running, including parent information nights, a district community-read series and improved communications for English-language learners. He thanked central office staff and named multiple administrators who have supported outreach and engagement work.

''Next steps: Dr. McGary said he will provide a final update on engagement meetings before winter break and will bring a formal request to the board if he seeks to form the hospital-site subcommittee. The transcript does not record any board vote on forming a subcommittee that evening.