• History

    In 2014, the Methacton Board of School Directors approved a capacity and enrollment study to be conducted by the Pennsylvania Economic League (PEL), a respected and recognized leader in this area throughout the Commonwealth.

    The purpose of the study was to evaluate the state of the district’s enrollment over the next several years, assess the capacity of our school buildings, and make recommendations based on results of this analysis.

    Enrollment

    January 20, 2015 - PEL presented their findings relative to enrollment before the Board during their regular meeting. The PEL enrollment report indicated that:
    • During the period from 2004/05 (5,338 students) through the current enrollment year of 2014/15 (4,974 students), student enrollment has declined (364 students) with an average for the district of 6.8%.
    • With the exception of 2009/10 (+22 students, .04%) the student population has dropped every year for the past 7 years.
    • This same study looked ahead for 5 years to 2019/20, and forecast a continuing decline from today’s enrollment, although at a slower rate than the past 5 years. Slower housing development (240 average per year in 2000-2010, 52 average per year from 2011-2014), and lower birth rates were two factors contributing to the changes.
    Capacity
    On February 3, at a special meeting of the Methacton Board of School Directors, the Board heard a presentation of the findings on the district’s capacity. The PEL capacity study indicated:
    • The combined capacity of the 5 elementary buildings in 2014/2015 is 2,225 students, while the enrollment in these buildings during the same time is 1,733 students, a difference of 492.
    • Given the projected decline in enrollment over the next 5 years, that capacity to enrollment difference will continue to grow to 581.
    • The study also concluded that there is additional excess capacity of 838 in the remaining 3 buildings combined (Skyview, Arcola, and Methacton High School).
    On February 3, 2015 the Board of School Directors voted to direct the Superintendent to schedule and advertise a public hearing on the question of the possible closing of Audubon Elementary School and/or Arrowhead Elementary School. 
     
    Public hearings were held on February 23 and February 25, 2015. These videotaped hearings are available on this website via the school's YouTube channel.  Click here to read School Board President S. Christian' Nascimento's opening remarks.