Pennsbury Expected To End Morrisville Merger Talks

FALLSINGTON, PA —The Pennsbury school board is expected to end merger talks with the Morrisville School District.

On its agenda for Thursday night's meeting is an item for the school board to "direct its proper officers to cease exploration of a merger or tuition agreement with the Morrisville Borough School District at this time so that the District can focus on other priorities, including the proposed high school project."

The Pennsbury school board is then expected to approve a 4.1 percent tax hike in its 2023-2024 school budget and adopt its final budget of $243,614,136.

School officials said that tax increase is tagged as a "downpayment" for either the renovation of Pennsbury High School West at a $166.4 million cost or building a brand new high school, which would cost $213.2 million and not be ready to open until 2029.

Patch reported last month that the school district was leaning toward the high school over the Morrisville merger at its May meeting.

"It's a matter of priority and focus," School Board President TR Kannan told Patch Wednesday.

Pennsbury School District held a public hearing with residents three months ago regarding options for a possible merger with Morrisville. One was for an outright merger while the other two explored tuition agreements.

School Board member Jim Prokopiak said at the board's meeting last month that the merger would be a "long, drawn-out process" for the next five years with no certainty of funding.

While Pennsbury wants to cease merger talks, it isn't totally shutting the door on Morrisville, according to the agenda item.

"The District will offer collaborative services to assist Morrisville as appropriate," the agenda item states.