[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6260269,"mediaKeyId","3134107-962867c3f65b9fb35d9dc1e7fa3bbb5b","parentId",3134107,"title","Board approves Coopertown renovation bids, adds modest rooftop solar array and advances financing plan","audioSeconds",4453,"startMs",4301000,"endMs",8754000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3134107-962867c3f65b9fb35d9dc1e7fa3bbb5b&start=4301&end=8754","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3134107-962867c3f65b9fb35d9dc1e7fa3bbb5b/thumbnail_4301000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6260269/Pennsylvania/Board-approves-Coopertown-renovation-bids-adds-modest-rooftop-solar-array-and-advances-financing-plan","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260269-533cdd498c0299eae2de1646c4e44163/orig.mp4?Expires=1770924999&Signature=MugoBeNNy3~-KzYijXUApemqzf07rUuRsv1BV8WzIclTyRw20~E3nEgXR3FkWSowt0kaH2p7dzTgV2zjGdj1pQYJrDi1tcMQ6WIHyg72bm-IWzT2-96YmwfnHIjuRu~xFEC~Z0F8i42aa4RMvt9SIS-G9aHqW-uNA9kVTelrf2w7SOnsHbZ978blVT6XyC-yIMWgKeiGkripYz7AUznLLBmkO~OLrs2HNsapXH-lAjFfUJKX0es3sXtmkCUKYDonHgLY89-mgvbYZnWtaqajpOvpoISVxxGfGHzr7hqGmvpSbwY64-b~6639UFQtHmq5qR19GPQbpUVtbV8BhcbenA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Haverford Township School District","date","2025-04-27T00:28:44.343Z","article","The Haverford Township School District Board of Directors voted April 24 to award construction contracts for the Coopertown Elementary School additions and renovation project, approve a package of change orders and equipment purchases, and accept a board-level alternate to install a 129.6-kilowatt roof-mounted solar array.

District and contractor representatives described a project budget of about $29.15 million in total project costs, excluding a separate solar line item the board considered as an add alternate. Ken Matthews, representing the district’s architects, said the hard construction bids plus recommended alternates produced “hard construction costs of a little over $24,000,000” and that adding soft costs and a recommended contingency brought the “total project budget to $29,151,000.”

The board approved the low bidder for general construction, awarded the HVAC, plumbing and electrical contracts, and authorized direct purchase of major electrical equipment to reduce lead-time risk. In roll-call motions later in the meeting, board members formally approved change orders, authorizations for several CoStar vendor purchases and the solar add alternate.

Why it matters: The Coopertown work is the final elementary renovation that brings the district closer to parity of amenities among its five elementary schools and removes modular classrooms at that site. District leaders also told the board that stabilizing long-term operating costs for the district — particularly electricity — factored into the decision to add a rooftop solar array now, even though the array is smaller than earlier feasibility studies had modeled.

What the board approved

- Award general construction contract to ER Stubener Incorporated (Reading, Pa.) for $13,427,000 (award motion passed).\"
- Award HVAC contract to Guy M. Cooper, Inc. (Willow Grove, Pa.) for $2,995,000 (award motion passed).
- Award plumbing contract to GM Mechanical (Alden, Pa.) for $2,278,800 (award motion passed).
- Award electrical contract to Borrow Construction (King of Prussia, Pa.) for $5,322,000, including Alternate EC-1 (award motion passed).
- Approve direct purchase of major electrical equipment from Denny Electric (generator and transfer switches) for $325,900 (motion passed).
- Approve solar electrical Alternate EC-3 (129.6 kW roof-mounted PV) to Borrow Construction in the amount of $395,000 (motion passed).
- Approve change orders recommended by the owner’s representative (totaling $104,717.98; motion passed).

Board and staff presentation

Ken Matthews and district owner’s representatives told the board bids came in about 3% over the project estimate by the district’s third-party cost estimator, which the presenters described as within an acceptable range given recent market volatility. Matthews said many trade bids were competitive and consistent, which he said reflected the clarity of the contract documents.

Jamie (district finance advisor) and the district’s financial advisor outlined the financing plan to close out the capital program. Jamie said the district plans a cleanup bond issue in early 2026 to fund remaining project costs and noted the district’s prior conservative interest-rate estimates. If the district borrows to fund the balance (and the solar), Jamie said the district’s long-term millage impact for the full set of capital projects is expected to remain below half a mill, based on current assumptions.

Solar: size, cost and rationale

The board discussed the size and timing of the proposed solar array at length. The add alternate approved by the board would install a roughly 129.6-kilowatt rooftop system on part of Coopertown’s roof; district staff said the array was chosen to fit within the current project budget and district financing assumptions while delivering operating cost savings and classroom learning opportunities.

Matthews told the board the district estimated a roughly 10–12-year simple payback on the selected array size under current assumptions (noting potential variation if federal incentives like the Inflation Reduction Act or retail electricity rates change). Public speakers and several board members argued for a solar commitment now, citing long-term utility cost reduction and educational value. Parents, students and college-affiliated experts addressed the board during the meeting’s public-comment period and urged approval; public commenters included energy consultant Steve Clark and Drexel University professor Jason Baxter.

Votes at a glance (motions taken April 24)

- Motion to approve disbursements/payments (motion passed; amount read at the meeting was garbled in the record and is listed as not specified here).
- Motion to authorize $104,717.98 in change orders recommended by the owner’s representative (motion passed).
- Motion to award the Coopertown general construction contract to ER Stubener Incorporated for $13,427,000 (motion passed).
- Motion to award the HVAC contract to Guy M. Cooper Incorporated for $2,995,000 (motion passed).
- Motion to award the plumbing contract to GM Mechanical for $2,278,800 (motion passed).
- Motion to award the electrical contract to Borrow Construction for $5,322,000 (motion passed).
- Motion to approve Denny Electric as a CoStar vendor and purchase main electrical equipment (generator and transfer switches) for $325,900 (motion passed).
- Motion to award the solar electrical alternate (EC-3, 129.6 kW roof-mounted PV) to Borrow Construction for $395,000 (motion passed).

What the record does not show

The board and staff described financial modeling and contingency decisions but did not present a full, line-by-line solar economic model in public during the meeting. The district’s finance staff said a cleanup bond transaction is planned for early 2026; that borrowing and final interest rates will determine the precise millage effect.

Next steps

District staff said they will proceed with contract execution for the awarded trades and continue to finalize financing for the project. The board also indicated they will track potential future grant opportunities should the district choose to expand rooftop PV capacity on Coopertown or other schools.

Ending

Board members who spoke in favor cited long-term operating cost savings, educational benefits and the goal of providing similar amenities across the district’s elementary schools. Several public speakers urged the board to install solar as an investment in both district finances and climate education; the board’s votes on April 24 authorize the district to proceed with the awarded construction contracts and the modest rooftop solar array.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","04/24/25 School Board Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Haverford Township School District Board of Directors voted April 24 to award construction contracts for the Coopertown Elementary School additions and renovation project, approve a package of change orders and equipment purchases, and accept a board-level alternate to install a 129.6-kilowatt roof-mounted solar array.","taxTitle","Haverford Township SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",38557,"location","Pennsylvania","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6260258,"Chestnut Wold students present 'Be a Bridge' theme: composting, pen pals and STEM bridge‑building projects",505,667000,1172000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3134107-962867c3f65b9fb35d9dc1e7fa3bbb5b&start=667&end=1172","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3134107-962867c3f65b9fb35d9dc1e7fa3bbb5b/thumbnail_667000.jpg","/articles/6260258/Pennsylvania/Chestnut-Wold-students-present-Be-a-Bridge-theme-composting-pen-pals-and-STEM-bridgebuilding-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260258-9699e06b4b26485f4fb29b4885cd9685/orig.mp4?Expires=1770924999&Signature=lOMf~U48V6sWJ1oGPButC50fSbMAMu5V1yjX7YJFS79ynzpXyB-soxVvz2D9RGDQw2ISmvzgmPAUbgJW4CeWW0A5w9Os6CD1YUU5XkfMw4pQC0sQzqGw6udy-E-lIUV2gvIKU4VM-PrZAHpxzGhjAZqUkesHx6TaZbtgtB3S-cs3zXQBCQYPFj9NWSJotYe0JzQL7F4A0yVPpV8OPCyuZyOdgbSayTNNNXBI7oQRQuZu~BmuMRUhkfUFlQZXKQnWl5NNPX2-K86xiwo-AeYNTkinTcz1nNG-GDj91NtxbTA8mdbnxE4WNEqJ5N-ox~JD98XsQhF5E8ubmc7Z0GM2Uw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Students and staff from Chestnut Wold Elementary School presented projects and activities tied to the school’s year‑long theme “Be a Bridge” at the Haverford Township School District board meeting on April 24.

Principal Mrs. Leach (identified in the presentation) introduced the work and several student delegates described classroom committees that focused on sustainability, schoolwide expectations and school culture. Fifth‑grade delegates said the sustainability committee has helped set up composting bins in the cafeteria and used morning announcements and posters to share guidance.

“We have 3 committees: sustainability, school‑wide expectations, and school culture,” students Mei Mei Shields and Charlie Petrowski said during the presentation, explaining how their committees produced announcements, posters and skits to engage younger students. Student speakers also described a “bridge slip” program to recognize acts of kindness and a Roots and Shoots after‑school club that maintains garden plots and plantings on campus.

Other student work and partnerships highlighted in the presentation included:

- A pen‑pal exchange between early elementary classes and a second‑grade class in Turkey; students described using translation tools and moving from iPad translation toward direct conversation in English.
- Community appreciation letters and collections: students wrote to local businesses and reported receiving responses and small gifts in some cases; they also collected supplies and kindness kits for local shelters and re‑stocked classroom materials for a school in Asheville affected by flooding.
- A STEM challenge tied to the bridge theme: each homeroom will construct a small bridge using STEM principles; top projects will be scaled to represent each grade in a final event that includes a township architect presenting about a local trail bridge project.

The school said the theme fosters belonging, perspective taking and empathy and that the activities offer cross‑grade leadership and real‑world connections to local partners. Principal Leach thanked staff, PTO volunteers and participating community partners and said the program will conclude with an assembly and grade‑wide bridge building activity in May.

Ending

Board members applauded the students’ presentations; the board and superintendent thanked Chestnut Wold staff and students for the community work and for sharing the curriculum projects with the district.","Students and staff from Chestnut Wold Elementary presented the school’s year‑long theme “Be a Bridge,” described student‑led committees on sustainability and school culture, and previewed a STEM bridge‑building event and community outreach projects.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6260263,"Demographer warns Haverford enrollment likely to decline as 2016–2020 cohort matures; birth rates, housing turnover cited",1355,2202000,3557000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3134107-962867c3f65b9fb35d9dc1e7fa3bbb5b&start=2202&end=3557","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3134107-962867c3f65b9fb35d9dc1e7fa3bbb5b/thumbnail_2202000.jpg","/articles/6260263/Pennsylvania/Demographer-warns-Haverford-enrollment-likely-to-decline-as-20162020-cohort-matures-birth-rates-housing-turnover-cited","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6260263-19a38043ff1f31f02d5e9f34cab3e929/orig.mp4?Expires=1770924999&Signature=L0kHfb9e2a98IRs8g7m4qzww44Jy0zAOOljBpzU8KsZgIH4ss23Vikm4vmg9Kx5a~c7rRV7-r6xesuMjxM-5UtHjsVT4S50DzbYr~ZTUZUJn6ISN-3smjcCKuy6EUJmO3hPfaPIhwoz6FtrJ9w~pH3i2W0BnlKRidZXjSVlkp2nmkp6pdp3Qw8LITaNJy6J3wxGM-NnllwHXS~-sM-vvyLMJrQpXlyJphJ~Sbv~i4GHCXgH7PxVu4ghBbqBVJGujGxS5iShLAtp970IVmvIyCLtPhjnlUh48q-9ZxIk8D~QfYkZ3BMu9sHeS81fTTWRIKESzE0m0u7PHK-eo8x6JOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dr. Tim Lambert, the consultant presenting the district’s updated enrollment projections on April 24, told the Haverford Township School District Board of Directors that the district should expect overall enrollment to fall as a larger birth cohort from about 2016–2020 moves through the system and lower live births in subsequent years produce smaller kindergarten classes.

“This is actually the third time I’m coming to your school district to look at your enrollment projections,” Dr. Lambert said. He explained the methodology used to generate the projections: live births by municipality, grade‑to‑grade transition rates, neighborhood spatial analysis and new‑student inflows across the district’s five elementary catchments.

Key findings and context

- Live births: Dr. Lambert said live births for the district have hovered around 600 in recent years; the district’s projections use a roughly 600-birth baseline because statewide municipal live‑birth data were available only through 2023.
- Pandemic dip and cohort bubble: the consultant described a sharp fall in live births after the pandemic followed by an earlier influx of children entering the district between 2016 and 2020. That mid‑decade influx produces a “bubble” that will matriculate through and temporarily lift counts at the middle and high school levels before overall enrollment trends move downward.
- Neighborhood patterns: using spatial mapping of student addresses back decades, Lambert showed that the increase in new students was concentrated in some neighborhoods and not uniformly spread across all elementary catchments, which explains why some elementary schools saw larger class sizes than others.
- Grade‑to‑grade and cohort retention: Lambert said the district retains an above‑average percentage of cohorts through the grades compared with some other districts; he cited roughly a 28–30% cumulative loss from kindergarten to 12th grade over many years, which he described as “one of the better percentages we’ve seen.”
- Special education and support services: the presentation showed growth in the district’s in‑house autistic‑support population and other special‑education services; Dr. Lambert flagged that these programmatic shifts should factor into capacity and classroom‑space planning.

Board questions and clarifications

Board members asked about the effect of school improvements on enrollment patterns; Dr. Lambert said newer or renovated schools can attract families and help stabilize enrollment in those buildings, but he emphasized that local housing turnover and broader county birth‑rate trends are the primary drivers of long‑term change.

On the special‑education counts, board members requested clarification about source data; Dr. Lambert explained that student counts come from Pennsylvania Department of Education collections (October 1 student submissions and December 1 special‑education submissions) and that the consultant relies on those datasets for cohort and programmatic calculations.

What the district plans to do next

Lambert and district staff said the projections will be used to inform facility planning, the timing of capital projects and capacity needs. The presentation was framed as a 10‑year projection; staff said they will continue to refine the model annually with new PIMS submissions, building occupancy data and housing‑market indicators.

Ending

Board members said the analysis will help inform near‑term capital choices — such as the Coopertown renovation discussed later in the meeting — and suggested the district continue to monitor live births, housing turnover and special‑education demand as it finalizes project schedules and budgets.","Dr. Tim Lambert presented 10-year enrollment projections showing a decline driven by lower live births and a large cohort born mid‑decade; the analysis highlights neighborhood variation and a rising in-district special education caseload.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves Coopertown renovation bids, adds modest rooftop solar array and advances financing plan

Chestnut Wold students present 'Be a Bridge' theme: composting, pen pals and STEM bridge‑building projects

Demographer warns Haverford enrollment likely to decline as 2016–2020 cohort matures; birth rates, housing turnover cited