Community center expansion to house Montgomery High School programs discussed in further detail
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Renovations and additions to the Montgomery Area Athletic & Community Center (MAACC) are expected to begin in the fall to make room for high school students.
Plans for the $35 million construction project were discussed during a recent public hearing at the high school with a handful of people speaking out either in favor or in opposition to the plan.
Scott Cousin, of Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates, architectural firm for the project, said construction should take from 20 to 24 months to complete.
"We are in the design phase," he said.
He noted that Montgomery is the only school district with which he has been involved in architectural design work that houses all its students in one building.
"Our education needs have outgrown this site," District Superintendent Daphne Bowers said.
Plans call for additions to the MAACC to include a cafeteria, performance center, library and two-story classroom wing. In addition, space will be provided for technology education.
Bus and vehicle drop will be separated to maintain "efficient traffic flow" and parking is to be expanded to accommodate the building as well as the adjacent football stadium.
Bowers noted some of the inefficiencies of the school building housing the entire student body.
"We don't have STEM allocated space," she said. "Course and tech ed programs are overcrowded. We (all students) share a cafeteria and gym space."
Unlike many area school districts, Montgomery's enrollment is not decreasing but remaining stable, showing a slight increase in recent years, according to Bowers.
With high school students relocating to the MAACC following construction completion, their course work and education for the next two years will proceed as normal, she added.
The least costly alternative for financing the project is through issuance of general obligation bonds, according to officials.
Officials are not anticipating state reimbursement for the project due to the PlanCon moratorium.
Real estate tax millage increases absorbed by property owners are expected to help finance the project.
One woman at the hearing accused school officials of having "delusions of grandeur."
"And you need to stop this," she added.
Matt Wagner said he feared the increase of taxes, especially for those living on fixed incomes.
"I'm all about kids getting a proper education. I hate to see other people spending other peoples' money," he said.
Also addressing the impact of the project was Charles Lowery, who said, "I think that we do have to think of the future and what it can do for Montgomery."
Additional written comments from the public can be submitted until July 8 to the Montgomery Area High School, 120 Penn St., Montgomery, Pa. 17752.