School Facilities Expansion Discussed In Jenkintown

JENKINTOWN, PA —The Jenkintown School District is exploring ways to expand its facilities and is seeking public feedback before a decision is made.

Schools Superintendent Jill A. Takacs has informed the school district's staff, parents, and community members about a public presentation on Monday night as "we continuously evaluate ways to provide the most meaningful and relevant educational opportunities and services for our students."

The meeting takes place at 5:30 p.m. in the cafeteria.

The superintendent said the presentation will discuss a possible opportunity to acquire use of the land, currently occupied by the apartment building at 309 Walnut St., adjacent to the school district.

She said that no decisions have been made, or will be made, without significant community discussion and input.

"As you know, our school district has an extremely limited amount of open or undeveloped space on which we could consider expanding our facilities. It is our responsibility to evaluate current and future program and facility needs."

Those include:

• Increased academic opportunities (such as STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering Arts and Math learning labs; larger spaces that provide more opportunities for students to collaborate in modern ways; increased space for additional classrooms)
• Adequate space for special education learning and services
• Opportunities to expand our performing arts spaces
• Space for mental health services for students
• Improvements to sports facilities
• Potential for collaboration with county-wide early childhood educational services
• Partnerships with higher education

"Our school district is one of the highest performing in the state, but we lack opportunities for physical growth," Takacs said. "We believe this is a rare opportunity for the district to consider a possible physical expansion. If the district pursues this opportunity, we will take the utmost care and support for the families who might be impacted."

Takacs said that the district has begun exploring several financial options, including donations and/or grants, that could potentially allow the district to purchase or lease the property to address its needs.

"Again, any decisions by our School Board would be made with a significant amount of public communication, input, and long-range planning," Takacs said.

The superintendent said that information discussed at the meeting will be shared broadly with the community. She said the discussion is the first of several public meetings about the land acquisition.