Lower Moreland Township School District
Facilities Task Force Meeting Minutes
2-3-09
Dr. Feeley welcomed everyone and had Scott Malin review the latest results from the recent PENNDOT meeting.
Scott reviewed the timelines for the Pine Rd. project with a projected start date
(groundbreaking date) in mid-May.
Dr. Feeley indicated that the schedule will be posted on the website and also sent to
PTA presidents
Dr. Feeley reviewed the course of action for this evenings meeting with the three sub committees breaking out to discuss, (1) enrollment, (2) facilities, and (3) program/curriculum
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The facilities committee will tour the buildings to review the “needs” lists. The charge of the group is the review the needs list to see where we are with it. The results will be reported back to the larger committee.
The enrollment committee will review enrollments and other data to ultimately come to a decision for grade configurations at each school
The program/curriculum committee will look at Murray Ave and the High School to see what we want the students in both schools to be qualified for and how we can help from a facilities standpoint.
At this point, the 3 sub-committees broke out into separate groups. Denoted below are the summary minutes of the Demographics sub-committee:
Enrollment Committee
Dr. Elfont reviewed his Powerpoint presentation and explained his rationale and observations.
He reviewed new houses and turnover of older homes.
He then looked at Abington & Cheltenham townships for comparisons on enrollments, turnover rates etc.
Dr. Elfont concluded that the turnover rates in those townships happened after 40 years.
Dr. Elfont also concluded that in Lower Moreland, the turnover rate happened at 30 years not because of normal turnover but because of the economic boom. He indicated that he believed that the natural turnover of homes in Lower Moreland is still to come and that enrollment should peak between 2,700 and 2,750.
The economic downturn has slowed enrollment growth but it is still coming.
Dr. Elfont concluded that we should be OK once the 30 classrooms are completed and also indicated that science labs would need to be added to Murray Ave. before moving 9 th
grade down from the high school.
There were several questions regarding the presentation and a rather long and informational discussion ensued.

Rick Mellor updated the group on what is going on in the township and spoke specifically about the Philmont corridor project. He also said that the township is planning for the expected projects once the economy recovers.
Mr. McGuinn then reviewed the current, past and future enrollment projections done as of 12/17/08.
The committee as a whole concluded that once the Pine Rd. addition is completed, it will allow the flexibility with future grade configurations. The conclusion was to reexamine the issues when complete but to definitely move 4 th
grade to Pine Road
immediately.
Please note: These minutes are in summary form only.