Major Renovation, Classroom Addition Approved For Richboro Elementary

NEWTOWN, PA — The Council Rock School Board voted unanimously on March 16 to award bids totaling $27.9 million for a renovation and construction project at the Richboro Elementary School.

In a series of motions, the board awarded bids to Boro Developers of King of Prussia for electrical construction, Tri-County Mechanical of East Texas for mechanical work, Penn Builders of Quakertown for general construction and Guy Cooper Inc. of Willow Grove for plumbing.

The project will be managed by D’Huy Engineering of Bethlehem. The project is designed by the Schrader Group of Philadelphia.

The work will begin in July and is expected to be completed by December 2024. Students and staff will be relocated to the former Richboro Middle School while the work is completed.

A series of bond issues totaling $23 million approved by the board on March 16 will help finance some of the renovation work at Richboro, Sol Feinstone and Hillcrest elementary schools

“The Richboro community has taken a lot of hits over these last 20 years ever since Council Rock South was built. One of the reasons why I ran for this position was because I felt the Richboro community wasn’t getting its just due,” said board member Bob Hickey.

Hickey joined the board in unanimously approving the project with a 10 classroom addition. Preliminary plans had only included five new classrooms.

“By adding space we are afforded flexibility. There will be room for an increase in special education. There will be room for ideas that aren’t conceptualized right now such as a sixth grade center or all day kindergarten,” said Hickey. “Without the added room those ideas won’t ever get off the ground. For all these reasons, I’m in favor of not only the rebuild, but the added classrooms. And to the Richboro community, you’ve earned this.”

In other action, the board approved a; school calendar for the 2024-25 school year that incorporates additional religious holidays and for the first time a full five day spring break.

In other announcements, Superintendent Dr. Andrew Sanko announced that the Council Rock Education Foundation (CREF) will continue its Raising Great Kids speaker series on March 21 beginning at 7 p.m.

Laura Stack will present a virtual talk about the “Dangerous Truth About Today's Marijuana.” Click here to register and for more information.

Looking ahead, CREF will be hosting a community partnership awards gala on April 13 at Spring Mill Manor.

This year’s event will recognize two honorees for their outstanding support of public education. The Corporate Honoree is Fred Beans Automotive Group, which has shown remarkable commitment to providing opportunities and resources for students in the Council Rock School District and throughout the Bucks County community through their generosity.

The Individual Honoree is Marilyn Scarpa, former CREF president, who has "tirelessly advocated for public education and has volunteered countless hours bringing innovative projects and programs" to students in the Council Rock School District.