On September 5, 2025, the Pennsbury School District hosted a state-mandated Act 34 hearing at Fallsington Elementary School to present and solicit public feedback on its proposed $269.5 million high school construction project. The Act 34 hearing, required under Pennsylvania law for major school building initiatives, drew over 100 residents despite competing with the Philadelphia Eagles’ home opener—a testament to the intensity of local interest and concern. For those that did attend, many were unimpressed by the limited details put forward by Pennsbury and its vendors that last approximately 15 minutes

The Proposal: Scope and Cost

The district’s plan calls for a 497,000-square-foot facility to replace the aging Pennsbury East and West campuses, which date back to the 1960s. The new building would be constructed on the south side of the current campus along Hood Boulevard, with the existing structures slated for demolition upon completion.

The total estimated cost detailed in the Act 34 Hearing booklet includes $212.4 million for construction, $33 million for site development, and $1.3 million in architectural fees. Financial adviser Zach Williard of PFM noted that Pennsbury’s strong Aa3 credit rating would allow it to issue bonds without insurance, potentially minimizing the tax impact. However, the projected millage increase of 14.6 mills left many residents uneasy.

Supporters: Safety, Modernization, and Educational Value

Proponents of the project—largely parents and younger families—argued that Pennsbury students deserve a modern, consolidated facility that meets current safety and accessibility standards. Superintendent Dr. Thomas Smith emphasized that the split-campus model forces students to walk between buildings, compromising instructional time and security. He also cited the lack of natural light and ADA compliance in the existing structures.

School board candidate Jim Boice, an employee of the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA) teacher’s union, offered a glowing endorsement of the project, declaring, “The students are the heart of our district… We want our kids going to top-quality buildings, so they feel good about themselves.” But for many attendees, Boice’s remarks landed with the subtlety of a campaign flyer. His enthusiasm seemed less rooted in fiscal scrutiny than in personal excitement that his young son would be among the first to benefit from the new facilities.

Architect Michael Strohecker addressed design concerns, confirming the inclusion of both sex-specific and gender-neutral restrooms.

Critics: Tax Burden, Transparency, and Site Concerns

Opposition came primarily from senior citizens and longtime residents worried about affordability and transparency. Falls Township Tax Collector Kim Scarpiello warned that the tax hike could “shove [seniors] out of homes.” Juliana Winberg highlighted income disparities in Falls Township, noting that while the median household income is $86,000, the per capita income drops to $37,000 when retirees and unemployed residents are included.

Critics also questioned the district’s financial projections. Robert Abrams and Tim Daly, both Lower Makefield residents, pointed to cost overruns in past projects—like the stadium renovation ballooning from $4.1 million to $21 million—and raised concerns about the feasibility of staying within the approved budget. Abrams cited a former business manager’s estimate of $368 million, which would have triggered a voter referendum under Act 34.

Site conditions added another layer of controversy. Daly and Abrams presented photos of puddles and sinkholes, even in dry weather, suggesting underground water issues. They urged the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to investigate. While Pennsbury officials insisted the site had been vetted and DEP review is routine, residents remained skeptical.

Andrew Dell, a candidate for the Pennsbury School Board, also voiced strong opposition to the project. He criticized the district’s lack of transparency and questioned the financial prudence of moving forward without a voter referendum. Dell’s remarks echoed broader concerns about the district’s communication and accountability, positioning him as a vocal advocate for fiscal restraint and public oversight. “Everyone is going to have to sell their house because they’re not going to be able to pay their taxes here,” Dell expressed during his remarks, arguing that the cost estimate was unrealistically low.

Referendum Debate and Next Steps

One of the most contentious questions was whether the project should be subject to a public referendum. Currently, the district’s approved cost falls below the threshold that would require one. However, if bids exceed $217.1 million for building construction, either a second Act 34 Hearing will be required or a referendum would be mandated by the PA Department of Education.

The district plans to solicit bids this fall, and the outcome will determine whether a second hearing or referendum is necessary. Written comments from residents are being accepted until October 6, 2025, and can be submitted to the district’s Chief Financial Officer—though the position remains vacant following CFO Chris Berdnik’s recent departure.

Conclusion: A Community at a Crossroads

The Act 34 hearing laid bare the deep divisions within the Pennsbury community. Supporters see the new high school as a long-overdue investment in education and safety. Opponents fear financial overreach, displacement, and lack of transparency. With the bidding process looming and DEP review pending, the district faces a critical juncture—one that may ultimately require voters to decide.

References From Local News Organizations

Delaware Valley Journal: Pennsbury’s $269M High School Plan Faces Cheers, Jeers at Public Hearing

Bucks County Herald: Hearing on new Pennsbury High School shows a split community

LevittownNow.com: Residents Speak Out At Pennsbury Hearing On New High School

The post Pennsbury’s Act 34 Hearing Reveals Deep Community Divide first appeared on Pennsbury411.

The hearing will take place on September 4, 2025 at Fallsington Elementary at 7pm…coincidentally scheduled during the Philadelphia Eagles opening game of the NFL season. For those unable to attend, note that written testimony is given the same weight by the Pennsylvania Department of Education as oral public comment. Written testimony can be mailed to the following address:

Thomas A. Smith, Ed. D., Superintendent
Pennsbury School District
134 Yardley Avenue
Fallsington, PA 19054

This blog recommends that anyone providing written testimony also be sent digital to [email protected] to ensure your remarks aren’t “lost in the mail” or “mishandled” by the Pennsbury Administration staff. All email communications received by the Pennsbury are required by law to be saved for a minimum of two year.

What Is Act 34 And How Does It Protect The Community?

Act 34 of 1973, also known as the “Taj Mahal Act,” mandates that public hearings be held for significant construction projects involving new school buildings or substantial additions to existing buildings. This applies when floor space increases by 20% or more. The act requires school districts to justify the need for these projects, provide descriptions, disclose maximum costs, and outline financing plans and tax impacts.

Act 34 prioritizes transparency and public input by ensuring that communities are informed and involved in the decision-making process. Public hearings allow citizens to review and discuss proposed projects, with documentation like floor plans made available for at least 30 days. This ensures that the community can voice concerns, suggest alternatives, and hold school boards accountable for their decisions.

By requiring thorough public scrutiny and a potential referendum if project costs exceed certain limits, Act 34 aims to protect the financial interests of residents. It helps prevent exorbitant spending on school construction without adequate justification and citizen approval. This process ensures that taxpayer money is spent wisely and that new construction projects genuinely meet the community’s needs.

Why Is District Saying They Need a New High School?

The current campus—comprised of Pennsbury East, Pennsbury West, and the Natatorium—is fragmented, outdated, and non-compliant with ADA standards. Students must traverse nearly 1,800 feet between buildings, often outdoors, creating safety and accessibility concerns. Classrooms lack natural light, are undersized, and do not support modern teaching methods. The Natatorium’s six-lane pool is insufficient for hosting competitive events, and infrastructure across all buildings is inefficient and costly to maintain

What’s Being Proposed?

The district plans to construct a 497,000-square-foot, three-story high school on the existing site. Key features include:

• A secured main entrance with administrative offices
• A 1,000-seat auditorium and black box theater
• A centralized “Pennsbury Path” for safe student circulation
• A learning courtyard for natural light and outdoor instruction
• Athletic facilities including a 3,000-seat gym, 8-lane pool, and multiple auxiliary spaces
• Flexible classrooms and small-group learning areas to support evolving curriculum models

Upon completion, the existing buildings—including Village Park Elementary—will be demolished to streamline the site layout and improve safety. The Pennsbury School District gave limited to no consideration for alternative options such as a Renovation/Expansion of PHS West which would cost $80M+ less than a new build despite the building core being renovated in 2005 at a cost of $45M. Financials of the district detail persistent re-financing off debts, suggesting no principal has ever been paid down on the previous PHS West renovation.

Financials & Tax Impact

The total project cost for the new Pennsbury High School is estimated at $269,546,944, with a maximum building construction cost of $212,409,380 as defined under Act 34. This figure represents the district’s declared construction ceiling for the school building itself, excluding ancillary costs like site work, furnishings, and financing.

Under Act 34, if the actual building construction cost exceeds $217,119,048, the district would be legally required to hold a voter referendum before proceeding. This threshold is known as the aggregate building expenditure standard, and it functions as a safeguard to ensure public oversight if costs escalate beyond the approved scope. If quotes received exceed the estimated building construction costs by $4,709,668, either a referendum will be required or Pennsbury can make alterations to its plans and initiate a second Act 34 Hearing.

Separately, Act 1 imposes a debt capacity limit. As confirmed by the Bucks County Herald, the Pennsbury School District has stated that the total project cost cannot exceed $304 million, which is the district’s maximum allowable debt capacity under Act 1. This cap includes all financing, contingencies, and non-construction expenses.

To fund the project, the district plans to issue general obligation bonds, with total principal and interest payments projected to reach $569.4 million, paid off by the early 2060s. The estimated millage impact is 14.60 mills, and the district anticipates no increase in operational costs due to efficiencies gained from the new building’s design. Details of Pennsbury’s financial condition will be presented by PFM Financial Advisors, LLC, the same organization that was responsible for the financial forecasts that came under fire in public meetings for numerous mathematical errors during the failed Pennsbury – Morrisville Merger Feasibility Study that was halted in June 2023.

What Lies Beneath?

As Pennsbury School District advances its plan to build a new consolidated high school, the environmental assessments tied to the main construction site may warrant closer scrutiny. While the District performed geological and wetlands studies, the summaries provided offer limited insight into the scope, methodology, or long-term implications of those findings per the Act 34 Hearing Packet. With nearly 500,000 square feet of new construction planned, it is critical that these concerns are resolved before groundbreaking to avoid costly change orders for unforeseen developments

PSD411 has previously alerted the community of environmental concerns posed identified thought RTKs submitted by the District. The following are some of our previous posts regarding the land under consideration for the construction build:

• Pennsbury Initiating Wetlands Assessment On Proposed New HS Grounds (March 30, 2025)
• Lack Of Transparency Continues On Pennsbury High School Building Project (May 2, 2025)
• PHS Building Project Geotechnical Report Filled With Holes, Raising Concerns (May 15, 2025)
• Pennsbury High School Project Hits Speed Bump (August 11, 2025)

In a project of this magnitude, environmental due diligence should be more than a checkbox. The community deserves access to all the detailed reports and a clear plan for monitoring, accountability, and remediation. Until those details are made public, the environmental integrity of the Pennsbury High School project remains an open question.

Read The Act 34 Packet Yourself

The post Pennsbury Act 34 Hearing Scheduled September 4th first appeared on Pennsbury411.