SOUTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — Parkland School District is on track to choose construction contractors this fall for a major expansion at the district's high school, officials said Tuesday.
The district plans to add 26 classrooms, 12 new science labs, staff planning offices and other resources in two new buildings connecting the high school’s existing wings.
Plans also call for an expanded cafeteria, a new athletics lobby, an upgraded library, expanded space for counselors, new administrative offices and a bus loop with space for 11 more school buses than the school now can accommodate.
Officials estimate the project will cost about $70.7 million, including major upgrades to Parkland High’s library and a new athletics lobby.
Initially, the district pegged costs at $68.8 million.
Uncertain upgrades, bid process
The athletics lobby would house athletics offices and create a new way for spectators to enter the school’s gym.
Renovations to Parkland High’s library would create several new small group instruction areas, replace aging carpets and lighting, and reconfigure the main library around a large central circulation desk.
Technology support staff would move into newly vacant athletics offices near the school’s cafeteria; office space inside the library currently used for technology staff could house a podcasting studio or other resources for students.
Parkland School Board hasn't determined whether to go ahead with the athletics lobby and library upgrade. Once bids come in, district officials will decide whether Parkland can afford to pursue both projects as part of the expansion.
Axing the library upgrades and athletics lobby would shave about $5.3 million from the expansion’s cost.
As Parkland looks for construction contractors, the district will break the bid process into two parts: one to secure a contract for steel work, including fabricating and erecting structural steel for the new additions, and another for everything else.
“We want to get a jump on the steel because we want to make sure all that goes up while kids are not in school,” said Jamie Bortz, a senior project manager for Alloy5 Architecture working on the expansion.
Contractors interested in performing the steel work have until Sept. 30 to submit a bid. The school board will award the steel contract at its Oct. 21 board meeting.
The district will begin soliciting bids for the other trades in October, with plans to select all of its construction contractors by December.
Timeline for construction
If all goes according to plan, Parkland’s contractors will begin setting up the construction site in early 2026, and will break ground in March.
Officials hope to begin foundation work on the new structures as soon as possible. By the end of Summer 2026, the district hopes to finish structural steel work, utility relocation and work on the cafeteria.
The following summer, contractors would begin work on the library renovation and athletics lobby, administrative offices and lab space in the existing high school building.
Parkland hopes to wrap up construction by the end of 2027, and open the new addition to students the following August.
