READING, PA — Officials from Antietam School District, Mt. Penn Borough, and local lawmakers have reached an agreement that will allow renovations to begin at the Mt. Penn Primary Center.
The consensus was achieved following a mediation meeting on Monday, which focused on a necessary traffic study ahead of the planned construction. The meeting was attended by key stakeholders, including Antietam School District Superintendent Heidi Rochlin, School Board President A. Michael Roberts, Vice President Kyla Ramsey, Mt. Penn Borough Council President Troy Goodman, Borough Manager Hunter L. Ahrens, and local lawmakers Sen. Judy Schwank and Rep. Mark Rozzi.
The agreement will satisfy the requirements of the Mt. Penn Borough under the Zoning Hearing Board decision and the statewide Uniform Construction Code. Interestingly, these requirements are not tied to the district’s special exception application for a high school but can be applied to any configuration of the building.
The parties involved in the mediation expressed their commitment to overcoming community challenges collaboratively. They also expressed confidence that the agreement would ensure a safe, in-person learning environment for students in the 2024-2025 school year and beyond.
“Through extensive discussion and open communication, we were able to come to an agreement that will allow Antietam School District to begin phased construction at the Mt. Penn Primary Center,” the officials said in a joint statement. “We are all committed to working collaboratively to overcome the challenges facing our community.”
Both Antietam School District and Mt. Penn Borough emphasized that they had acted in good faith throughout the process and expressed satisfaction with the reached agreement.
This agreement marks a significant milestone in the planned renovations of Mt. Penn Primary Center. The decision will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the education landscape in Berks County, promising improved learning environments for future generations.
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