Jackson Twp. supervisors green light Seneca Valley’s nine-figure intermediate high school project
JACKSON TWP — Seneca Valley School District’s nine-figure overhaul of the intermediate high school moved one step closer to construction after clearing another necessary hurdle.
During their final board meeting of the year on Thursday, Dec. 18, Jackson Township supervisors granted preliminary and final approval for the multimillion-dollar addition that will also include a new 1,600-seat performing arts center.
The move clears the way for construction to begin in February, pending weather conditions.
Eckles Construction Services president John Pappas said the first phase of the multiyear effort will focus on constructing a new three-story classroom wing that will link the intermediate high school with the senior high school, creating a more unified campus layout.
He noted that contractors were already on site in recent weeks to plan fencing and site logistics ahead of the anticipated start date.
The new classroom structure will be built near existing television studio and music areas and will also tie into the district office and current music and band spaces, Pappas said.
The initial phase is expected to take about two and a half years, with the new space scheduled for completion in August 2028.
Once that portion is complete, the project will move into its second major phase, which includes demolishing portions of the existing intermediate high school behind the new addition, including classroom areas and sections extending toward the stadium.
That work will allow for construction of a new performing arts center; along with stage support areas, music and choral classrooms and practice spaces.
The full project is expected to be completed by summer 2030.
Overall, the project will add about 200,000 square feet of instructional space, with the new three-story classroom wing housing 44 classrooms, 12 science laboratories and a dedicated biotechnology lab.
Plans also call for expanded arts and special education areas, as well as upgrades to shared common spaces.
The school board established a maximum spending cap for the project at its Aug. 4 public meeting, emphasizing the $165.89 million figure represents a ceiling rather than the project’s final cost.
More than three months later at its Nov. 10 meeting, the board voted 8-1 to approve a series of construction bids totaling just under $118 million in brick-and-mortar costs.
Seneca Valley will begin financing the project with at least $20 million from capital reserve funds to reduce borrowing and interest costs, according to a fact sheet released by the district in October.
