Don't expect the Upper Perkiomen School Board to sell two of its buildings as previously discussed. On Monday, after hearing the results of an administrative study regarding the consequences of eliminating the 4th & 5th Grade Center and the Education Center, the facilities committee members remained relatively silent regarding the specific proposals.

            JP Prego, the outgoing committee chair, described the option as not feasible. After the meeting he cited too many moving parts, including financial concerns and student spacing issues.

            Board Member Peg Pennepacker thanked the administrators for providing the data she was seeking. She said that when the members announce that they can't sell either building, they can explain why.

            "We're facing a lot of challenges," Pennepacker said from the audience.

            The closure of the 4th & 5th Grade Center, located at 206 Main St. in East Greenville, would require approximately $59.8 million worth of renovations at the district's two elementary schools, or $48 million at the middle school to absorb all the district's fifth graders.

            The construction of a new elementary school would cost $43 million, nearly $6 million more than the projected cost of a full renovation of the 4th & 5th Grade Center ($37.6 million), according to a presentation by Superintendent Allyn Roche. He utilized figures from a study completed three years ago by a Hatfield architectural firm.

            The presentation identified five challenges to shifting the district's administrators to the 4th & 5th Grade Center. KCBA's study from 2022-23 identified a costly expense to convert classrooms to office space and it would reduce educational flexibility.

            Further, the report states that the sharing of sites would complicate parking and traffic and that the Pennsylvania Department of Education does not reimburse districts for administrative conversions. The study recommends the retention and renovation of the Education Center, located at 2228 East Buck Road in Upper Hanover.

            Closing both buildings could also create crowding issues at both elementary schools. At Hereford, the addition of fourth graders would increase the capacity to 88 percent. Fifth graders at the school would push that number to 107 percent. Currently, the school is at 70 percent capacity. The additional students would require the district to spend $13.7 million to expand or renovate the building.

            At Marlborough, the potential addition of 201 students would require a renovation/expansion project between $12 million and $13 million. The addition of fourth grade at the school would increase the current capacity to 90 percent. With the addition of fifth grade, that number jumps to 108 percent, according to the information provided by Roche.

            After the presentation, Pennepacker suggested that the board continue to get creative in finding alternative funding sources. She also said the board needs to be honest in admitting that property taxes are going up significantly.

            Keith McCarrick, a committee member and board vice president, described it as a hard truth.

            Four days earlier, the school board approved an action item to pay the Carbon Lehigh Intermediate Unit $9,450 for training and up to 60 hours of support with the PowerSchool Student Information System, a widely used platform that helps schools and districts manage all aspects of student data and school operations. It will replace the Skyward Student Management System for the 2026-27 school year, according to district spokesperson Alexis Jenofsky.

            In personnel news, the members approved the resignations of two employees during the Oct. 23 workshop meeting. Nicole Wilson will leave her position as a third grade teacher at Hereford Elementary on Dec. 15, while Taylour Catarious, an administrative assistant, resigned earlier this month.
            The board approved an appointment for Holly Francisco, also a third grade teacher at Hereford, at her existing salary, according to language in the meeting agenda.
            The members also approved a leave of absence for two employees. Yeimy Cantor's leave will begin Feb. 6, 2026, and continue for six or eight weeks. Emily Herron's leave is expected to start on or around Feb. 23, 2026, and continue through May 20, 2026.
            The board met in executive session immediately prior to the public meeting to discuss a confidential student matter, according to Solicitor Kyle J. Somers.