Seneca Valley authorizes bonds for nine-figure reno
JACKSON TWP — Seneca Valley school district took another step in securing its already approved high school renovation plans, as the board authorized the district to take on debt over the next 20 years.
The school district board approved issuing general obligation bonds to fund its nine-figure intermediate high school project at its meeting Monday, Feb. 9.
The board previously approved bids for roughly $118 million in brick-and-mortar spending in November.
The limit in total spending for the project is higher. The debt incurred from the bonds are not to exceed $150 million, according to the board resolution approved Monday night.
The district initially revealed the cost and scope of the project at the school board’s Aug. 4 work session. It then unanimously approved moving forward with receiving proposals and holding an Act 34 public hearing.
According to Seneca Valley’s own projections, the district will take on the majority of debt service in years following the project’s expected completion. In years two through 10, the district will face debt service payments of roughly $7.8 million, but in years 11 through 20, those payments will increase to around $18.9 million.
With interest, the district will make over $275 million in debt payments over the course of the next 20 years to pay off the project, according to the district’s Act 34 public hearing booklet.
Critics of the project have described this as a “wraparound” scheme, saying it leaves a financial burden on future taxpayers.
Meanwhile, the district’s bond counsel, Chris Brewer, claimed Monday night such a plan is normal for schools funding larger projects like this.
Supporters of the project have pointed to projected district growth as a reason to invest so heavily in the renovation. Board President Eric DiTullio has said multiple times that through 2032 at least 6,000 new homes are projected to be built in Seneca Valley neighborhoods.
The renovation proposal includes a three-story addition connecting the intermediate and senior high schools, along with 43 classrooms, 12 science labs, a biotechnology lab and a state-of-the-art music, theater and performing arts center.
