BETHEL PARK, Pa. — After nearly three years of study, the Bethel Park School District Facilities Committee presented an update on the future of several district properties that will be impacted by the opening of a new elementary school in 2026.

While no formal recommendations have been made, committee members emphasized steady progress toward a long-term strategic plan to serve the community better.

The committee—district officials, community members, and municipal leaders—has evaluated the future use of seven facilities: the Central Administration Building, Neil Armstrong Middle School, and the Benjamin Franklin, Abraham Lincoln, Memorial, William Penn, and George Washington elementary schools.

“All of our work was done through the prism of what is best for our community,” said committee member Tim Mowry. “We left no stone unturned. We toured every facility, listened to proposals from different groups, and knew we would need to make tough decisions about all sorts of things, including considerations like ballfield space and gym time.”

The planning process, part of the district’s broader strategic initiative, has involved input from hundreds of stakeholders, including local government representatives, recreation groups, and community service providers.

Committee member Andy Amrhein called the process “remarkably thorough and eye-opening” and said it was rewarding to help shape the future of Bethel Park’s schools and public facilities.

“We have understood from the start of this process that the decisions we make now are critical to the success of the elementary school plan and ensuring our facilities remain sustainable for years to come,” Amrhein said. “This work lays the foundation for the district’s and the community’s long-term success.”

As part of the developing plan, the district anticipates auctioning off the William Penn and Abraham Lincoln schools to generate revenue for future needs. Memorial Elementary may be repurposed for community use, serving as a site for youth daycare, adult daycare, or programs like Meals on Wheels.

The Central Administration Building is expected to remain in use, with the committee recommending upgrades to maintain it as a district asset.

Neil Armstrong Middle School, known for its solid structure and gym facilities, may continue to be used, although no final decision has been made. Lois Johnson Child Services, a significant daycare provider in Bethel Park, has expressed interest in the space.

School board representatives Jim Modrak and Kim Walsh-Turner noted that Christ Methodist Church has approached the district about using district space for expanding adult daycare services, citing increasing community demand.

The municipality has already agreed to take over the Benjamin Franklin and George Washington schools within the next two years.

Throughout the process, the committee has engaged with recreation departments, the public library, and other municipal groups to ensure broad input. Public hearings will be held for each building before they are repurposed.

Committee members include Amrhein, Modrak, Mowry, Walsh-Turner, Jim Jenkins, John Lorenzi, Joe Consolmagno, Russ Spicuza, Mike Fastuca, Justin Gaudelli, and Jessica DiPrampero.

“This process has always come back to one question,” Mowry said. “What can we do to make Bethel Park better?”

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