When will construction start on new Bellefonte Elementary building? Here’s what we know

Keely Doll
·2 min read

Bellefonte Area School District is getting ready to break ground on its new elementary school, scheduling a pivotal meeting in the process for next month.

Under Pennsylvania Act 34, districts must host public meetings examining maximum construction costs, student capacity and aggregate expenses. Director of fiscal affairs, Ken Bean, said the Dec. 7 meeting is one of the last steps before the district breaks ground in the spring.

“The plan is to bid the project in February or March, I don’t know the exact date yet,” Bean said. “...Hopefully they will be able to break ground as soon as the weather is able.”

SiteLogIQ, the construction management company, and the district are working on determining which parts of the project will have alternate bids, Bean said. The cost estimate is about $56 million but the district is working with the contractors to bring the number down.

The Bellefonte elementary school project has been years in the making, with the district spending more than $130,000 since 2016 on architectural firms and consultants alone. Bellefonte Elementary, which was last renovated in the 1960s, no longer meets student needs and is out of ADA compliance, prompting the district to consider the construction of a new elementary school.

In earlier stages, the district considered several options including renovations to all elementary schools, construction of a new school and the possible closings of Bellefonte and/or Benner Elementary School. Although major renovations to Bellefonte Elementary had been discussed, the building’s standing as part of the historic district made the option too costly for the district.

Bellefonte Elementary School was last renovated in the 1960s. Because it’s a historic building, renovations were deemed too costly for the district.
Bellefonte Elementary School was last renovated in the 1960s. Because it’s a historic building, renovations were deemed too costly for the district.

Following several geological surveys, the district settled on the 107.6 acres behind the current Bellefonte Area High School that was purchased for $4.5 million in 2011.

In January, the district moved forward with plans for a new Bellefonte Elementary, releasing preliminary floor plans and hosting community meetings for input. The plans depict a 95,684-square-foot building, according to KCBA estimates. The layout plans list a 650-student capacity with 41 classrooms, a STEM lab, cafeteria, gym and 10 administrative rooms.

Despite plans for the project moving forward, no decision has been made about the effect on other district elementary schools or the future of the current Bellefonte Elementary building.

The public Act 34 meeting will be held on Thursday, Dec. 7, at 6 p.m., in the Bellefonte Middle School cafeteria. The meeting will include a presentation on the options and projected costs, followed by public comment.