Gehman explains vote against applying for possible reimbursement for construction

        The Upper Perkiomen Middle School has maxed out its available space, according to John Gehman, president of the Upper Perkiomen School Board. He said Marlborough Elementary is "busting at the seams."

        "I don't think any argument can be made that we do not have to expand our space," said Gehman, president of the district's board of directors. "I'm convinced we have to do something about this."

        However, Gehman isn't convinced that building a new middle school is the best solution. That's why he voted against a motion to participate in a Commonwealth program that could provide reimbursement to the district for future school construction.

        On Wednesday, May 11, the board approved a measure to apply for Pennsylvania's PlanCon program, by submitting and completing a set of planning and construction forms prior to the beginning of an 18-month moratorium.

        Gehman cast the only vote in opposition, according to Superintendent Alexis McGloin.

        Vice President Raeann Hofkin did not attend the special meeting, according to an email message from McGloin.

        The plan only requires district officials to commit to build a school for sixth, seventh and eighth graders.

        Constructing a new middle school is the best way to meet the needs of future students and best manage taxpayer money, according to board member Joan Smith.  She described the situation as advantageous for district officials to apply for potential reimbursement from the Commonwealth.

        That reimbursement figure would depend a variety of factors such as the aide ratio, scope of the project, and the amount of instructional space, according to the superintendent. Gehman estimated that amount at potentially between $2 million and $5 million.

        "We would be remiss if we did not take advantage of this opportunity," said Smith, one of seven board members who voted for the motion.

        The day after the vote, Gehman repeated that he felt "stuck between a rock and a hard place" on the issue.  The board president said he understands how a decision not to apply for the program could be seen by the public as irresponsible. However, Gehman expressed concern that the desire to recover that reimbursement would lead to the construction of a new middle school whether that is the best solution or not.

        "All discussion will be biased towards building the middle school," he said. "Is that the proper thing to do?"  Gehman said he felt blindsided by the timing of the vote. McGloin, who learned of the moratorium early in the month, asked the board to consider the measure during the May 5 public meeting.  "The moratorium forced us to make a decision," Gehman said. "It could end up being the wrong decision."

        District officials normally need several months to make an appropriate decision, according to Gehman. He said the facilities committee should start looking at enrollment issues "from scratch and come up with a game plan."

        The board president wants district officials to examine all potential alternatives, including a recommendation from the district's architect to add six classrooms at Marlborough Elementary.

        "We have not dug down into any options," Gehman said. "Building a new middle school may end up being the best option."

        According to McGloin, the district could fund the construction of a new $56 million middle school with little to no impact on property taxes.

        She called the potential refinancing of a bond set to come due in 2017, along with a recently completed study projecting student growth over the next ten years, combined with a feasibility study which shows the need for additional space at both Marlborough Elementary and the middle school "a perfect storm to proceed with some type of construction."

        According a post on the school district's website, officials will focus on potential construction projects during a June 23 workshop session. The school board will consider options to add on to Marlborough and Upper Perkiomen Middle School, as well as construct a new facility for Kindergarten and first graders, fifth and sixth-graders, seventh and eighth graders or a new middle school for students in grades six through eight.