Myers Elementary
Myers Elementary is one of four elementary schools in the Cheltenham Township School District. It was built in 1923, with an addition added in 1967. An interactive timeline of the history of Myers Elementary is available.During 2005, the Board voted to renovate and expand Myers Elementary. On August 9, 2005, the School District hired an architecture firm for the project. The project at one time was scheduled to start during June 2006 and be completed by September 2007. In anticipation of the project starting, the School District leased temporary modular buildings to house "Modular Myers" at a cost of $48,000 per month and placed them on the campus of the Elkins Park School during the summer of 2006. Through May 31, 2007 a total of $2,980,709.67 had been spent on Modular Myers; and $3,563,748.77 had been spent on Myers Elementary as part of the pre-renovation work. The renovation work finally started during October 2007.
The project has faced a series of delays due to Pennsylvania imposed budget rules that limit the amount the District can spend on the project, and poor planning. The project was originally budgeted at around $11 million. Prior to some cost and element reductions, the renovation project had been projected to cost over $20 million by a School District consultant. Bids for construction were opened on May 22, 2007 with a likely project cost of over $19 million.
On June 12, 2007, the Board approved a scaled back plan and bids that will cost $24,965,288. It is estimated that for a property assessed at $250,000, there will be a $220 tax per year for about 20 years to pay off the cost of the project.
On September 6, 2007, the School District issued a press release, which stated in part:
"Myers Elementary School, the oldest continually-used school building in the School District of Cheltenham Township, is getting a much-needed renovation. A groundbreaking will be held on Tuesday, September 11th at 11:00 A.M. on the Myers’ Play Yard on Mill Road. This event marks the start of the renovation process, a process that will lead to a new energy efficient school that provides an ideal learning environment for all children. Representatives from the school district, township, community, and the architect and building firms that are working on the project will take part in the celebration."In an attempt to improve communication about the status of the Myers renovation project, the School District established a web page on their site.
Revised 10.19.07