New Benjamin Franklin Middle School in Bristol Township to open in spring

Damon C. Williams, Bucks County Courier Times
·2 min read
1
Additions and renovations to Benjamin Franklin Middle School in Levittown are seen in progress on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
Additions and renovations to Benjamin Franklin Middle School in Levittown are seen in progress on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

After a ten-year planning process beset by delays, the Bristol Township School District plans on opening the new Benjamin Franklin Middle school on Monday, March 6.

On that date, Franklin D. Roosevelt Middle School will be closed, and students will be moved to the renovated middle school at 6401 Mill Creek Road.

The $53.9 million renovation includes a 35,000-square-foot addition housing 20 new modern classrooms, common learning areas, a two-story main entrance, reception area, and a newly designed cafeteria and kitchen.

Interior main entrance of the renovated Benjamin Franklin Middle School in Bristol Township. School is scheduled to reopen on March 6, 2023.
Interior main entrance of the renovated Benjamin Franklin Middle School in Bristol Township. School is scheduled to reopen on March 6, 2023.

FDR on Veterans Highway, and now future Ben Franklin students and parents will receive the transition plan next week, said Principal Kevin Boles.

Boles said the school community will also receive a copy of the transition plan which includes details of the phase-in period during which students will familiarize themselves with the new school.

Additions and renovations to Benjamin Franklin Middle School in Levittown are seen in progress on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
Additions and renovations to Benjamin Franklin Middle School in Levittown are seen in progress on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.

Township okays new Franklin schoolBristol Township OKs plans for $53.9M overhaul of Franklin middle school

With the addition, the Ben Franklin Middle School will be able to accommodate 900 students.

The $53.9 million price tag is roughly $33.4 million more than was expected to be spent to renovate the school when the district unveiled "The District Plan for 21st Century Excellence," back in the 2012-13 school year.  At that time, it was estimated the work would be completed by 2016.

Classroom in the renovated renovated Benjamin Franklin Middle School in Bristol Township. School is scheduled to reopen on March 6, 2023.
Classroom in the renovated renovated Benjamin Franklin Middle School in Bristol Township. School is scheduled to reopen on March 6, 2023.

The plan greatly changed and expanded from that 2012 version. The school sat closed for a long time.

Additions and renovations to Benjamin Franklin Middle School in Levittown are seen in progress on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
Additions and renovations to Benjamin Franklin Middle School in Levittown are seen in progress on Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.

Before its closure, the middle school served as an elementary school while the Keystone Elementary School was being built, a freshman center and administrative building.

Auditorium of the renovated Benjamin Franklin Middle School in Bristol Township. School is scheduled to reopen on March 6, 2023.
Auditorium of the renovated Benjamin Franklin Middle School in Bristol Township. School is scheduled to reopen on March 6, 2023.

The fate of the soon-to-be-shuttered Franklin D. Roosevelt middle school is unclear.

Bristol Township School District Superintendent Michael Nitti said district is evaluating all options with regard to FDR Middle School and its property.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: New Franklin Middle School to open in Bristol Township this spring