The Elizabethtown Area School District Board of School Directors has approved the hybrid option for the District’s future secondary school project and authorized the District to begin working with RLPS Architects on the design phase.

The Board’s decision follows several months of planning discussions, presentations, and review focused on the long-term needs of the secondary school facility. In earlier meetings, the Board received a proposal for consulting services to help guide the District toward a consensus on a path forward. The District also approved RLPS as the project architect and later received a presentation from RLPS outlining three possible directions for the project: a full renovation of the existing building, a hybrid option combining renovation with a new building addition, or construction of an entirely new facility.

After reviewing the options, the Board selected the hybrid approach. This option will allow the District to retain and renovate a portion of the existing building while also adding new construction to better meet current and future educational needs.

Project timeline

• Feasibility study and facility review: The District conducted a feasibility study and architectural review of the existing secondary school building to assess current conditions and future needs.
• Initial planning and consultation: The District began reviewing options and engaging in discussions to identify the most effective path forward for the secondary school.
• Financial planning and review: The Board reviewed financing considerations for the project, including projected costs, funding strategies, and long-term financial impacts.
• Architectural partnership approved: The Board approved RLPS Architects to lead the project’s architectural work.
• Options presented: RLPS provided the Board with a comparison of three potential approaches: renovation, hybrid, and new construction.
• Board decision: The Board approved the hybrid option and authorized the District to begin design work with RLPS.

Next steps

With the hybrid option approved, the District will now move into the design phase with RLPS Architects. That work will focus on developing project plans, refining scope, and continuing to evaluate cost, function, and alignment with District goals. Additional updates will be shared as planning progresses.

Secondary School Complex Building Project

We encourage community members to visit the Secondary School Complex Building Project page to stay up to date, review past materials, and follow along as this work continues.

• Secondary School Complex Building Project Webpage