Inside Mount Nittany Elementary’s proposed $20 million expansion project
Feb. 6, 2024: This story has been updated after a board discussion on Monday night.
Mount Nittany Elementary’s newest expansion could cost upward of $20.9 million, according to new projections released during the board’s Monday night meeting.
The project is set to begin in November 2025 with a completion date of May 2028, but final cost estimates won’t be available until construction bids are accepted. The third wing addition will include six new classrooms, an instrumental music classroom, a separate cafeteria and a gym.
The board released renderings of the third-wing addition during its Jan. 22 meeting along with ways for the community to get involved with other upcoming district projects. The addition will be closest to fields and outdoor spaces, making it a primary entrance for after-school activities and events.
The first steps of the Mount Nittany Elementary project began in August 2023 after an attendance analysis found the elementary school at capacity, with its two fifth grade classes outsourced to the district’s administrative offices at Panorama Village.
During the Jan. 22 meeting, the board heard an update about the creation of a steering committee for the districtwide facilities master plan program, which includes the Park Forest Middle School project. Although the districtwide plan encompasses many different projects including playground and athletic fields, sustainability and transportation, its current focus is the middle school.
Initial invitations to the steering committee are being sent based on connections to stakeholders in the Park Forest Middle School community including, but not limited to, staff members, parent-teacher groups and community members. Board members and district administrators are also on the steering committee.
Mike Fisher, the district’s director of the physical plant, described the steering committee process, which is similar to the format the district used for the State High project.
“We’ll follow a process where we have community members come in break down ideas give feedback,” Fisher said. “We’ll start the meeting with a small presentation and give community members, students, really whoever shows up the floor to express their ideas and give feedback.”
Members of the public can sign up to participate in the district steering committee through a form online at the district website.
The steering committee will meeting on Feb. 20 and April 18, as well as host several community forums throughout the spring:
Feb. 27, Park Forest Middle School, 6 p.m.
Feb. 29, Radio Park Elementary School, 6 p.m.
April 24, Park Forest Middle School, 6 p.m.
April 29, Grey Woods Elementary School 6 p.m.
