The Antietam School District in Lower Alsace Township, Pennsylvania , is moving forward with construction plans for the New Stony Creek Elementary School, according to a report yesterday.
The commercial construction project is designed to address the devastation caused by flooding in July 2023.
Flood-Resistant Design and Site Improvements
The new 60,000-square-foot, two-story school will be built on the site of the former flood-damaged high school, with demolition of the old structure scheduled as a separate project.
The new design includes measures to address flooding. The first floor will be constructed nearly eight feet above the floodwater level experienced during the 2023 disaster, and two feet above the nearby district office.
According to officials, the elevation, combined with the building’s relocation farther from Antietam Road, is intended to keep the school out of the floodplain and minimize water intrusion risks.
Renderings of the New Stony Creek Elementary School. The Lower Alsace Township, Pennsylvania project is in the final stages before bidding. Image: Antietam School District.
Rather than repairing the flood-damaged high school, the district chose to demolish it and repurpose the site for a modern, flood-resistant elementary school serving kindergarten through third grade.
Project Cost Estimates
Total Project Cost: The estimated total cost for the new Stony Creek Elementary School project is $30.3 million.
Secured Funding: Approximately $11.6 million has already been secured through grants and insurance settlements.
Timeline and Next Steps
Officials said yesterday that bid documents are being finalized, with bidding expected to open in the coming weeks. The district hopes to award construction contracts by July and begin work by late August or early September.
The goal is to complete demolition and start construction before the 2025 -2026 school year.
Superintendent Dr. Timothy Matlack emphasized in January that the project balances cost management with the need for a safe, modern learning environment: “Our planning has encountered several challenges, primarily focused on managing costs for our taxpayers while ensuring adequate space for our students."
The new elementary school represents a strategic step in the district’s broader recovery plan to rebuild educational infrastructure. The Antietam School District includes the Mt. Penn Borough and Lower Alsace Township, which are located near Reading, Pennsylvania.
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