Unionville-Chadds Ford School Board directors had a brief update on the middle school plan, reviewed the proposed final budget for next school year, and considered some facility upgrades. Those were some of the topics during the May 11 workshop.
While most of those items will be voted on during the regular meeting next week, the board did vote to approve the proposed final budget for the 2026-2027 school year. As previously reported, the budget calls for revenues and expenses to be $111,265,549, with millage rates at 34.95 for Chester County property owners — an increase of 3.07 percent — and 20.21 mills for Delaware County property owners, an increase of 4.99 percent. A final vote for the adoption of the budget is scheduled for the board’s June 15 meeting.
Director of Facilities James Whitesel updated the board on a possible new timeline for replacing C.F. Patton Middle School, saying it’s become evident that a CMA — construction manager as an advisor — is needed for the project in preparation for continuing the architectural design work of the project to move forward.
He said the district would “go through the standard RFP [Request for Proposal] process that would take about two to three months, and this means that we’ll be able to bring forward a recommended award for the August board meeting.”
Whitesel added that because of the timeline, some of the early phases planned for 2028 will likely need to be backed up to 2029.
“However,” he added, “That doesn’t impact the timeline that we outlined in March for the new building start that would remain as 2031.”
He also said that Breslin Architects would perform some additional reviews of the plan, with the possibility of adding a partial three-story section on the east side of the classic classroom wing of the building.
So, while the board won’t be voting on the CMA and the modified plans, the board won’t be voting on anything until August. “But we would still be doing some work over the summer months to help improve and prepare the design to advance,” Whitesel added.
Whitesel was questioned about whether the township — East Marlborough — would approve the third-floor section. He responded by saying that he believes that the third floor would be lower, perhaps a little bit under grade, so that we could still stay under the 35-foot restriction.
The board heard proposals for several facility upgrades that are planned for several of the schools. Voting on those plans will be held next week.
Directors will be voting on replacing the art kiln at Unionville High School for $17,548. The work includes removing the existing kiln, installing a new one, and installing a new venting system. There will also be electrical upgrades. All Kiln Services LLC will likely get the contract.
Another $16,200 is earmarked for a chiller control replacement at Chadds Ford Elementary School. The work includes installing a new controller, network, and power wiring, programming, and updating our interactive graphics on our Building Management System. The recommendation for the work is Tri-M.
Hillendale Elementary School could be getting an upgrade for its asphalt by Unitex Asphalt Services for $61,955. Work includes milling and overlay at Hillendale drop of loop, lower playground area, and the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) access drive.
The board will also consider voting to approve Unitex Asphalt Services getting $61,550 to add new concrete safety bollards at key locations and new concrete stairs from Patton MS down to the double turf field.
Another item to be considered next week is the purchase of large concrete bench/planter units for vehicle protection at the front entrance of Chadds Ford Elementary School. In addition to concrete bollards, these have a multi-functional option. They will provide protection, a planting area, and built-in bench seating. Recommend approval for Landscape Forms to do the work for $21,348.
The board’s next meeting is on May 18.
About Rich Schwartzman
Rich Schwartzman has been reporting on events in the greater Chadds Ford area since September 2001 when he became the founding editor of The Chadds Ford Post. In April 2009 he became managing editor of ChaddsFordLive. He is also an award-winning photographer.
