The Hempfield Area School District received construction bids on March 11, 2026, for its comprehensive High School additions and renovations project which resulted in $20 million in savings to the budget of $136 Million established by Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates (CRA), the District’s Architects. This milestone represents a significant step forward in delivering a future focused educational facility. A previous multiphase project was halted by the District after initial bids for phase one exceeded the established budget. The current project provides for the student focused education spaces for the District’s students and is fiscally responsible to the community.
Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates was engaged to lead the redesign effort, working closely with District leadership, faculty, and stakeholders throughout 2024 to develop a unified and comprehensive project approach focused on enhancing the educational experience for the students. The updated strategy addresses prior cost escalation challenges while expanding the overall scope to fully align with modern educational delivery models.
Project History
The High School project has been under consideration for approximately five years. Following a feasibility study prepared by a different design team. The School Board approved the renovation in March 2022 and initiated a borrowing plan in April 2022.
In January 2023, the previous team established a budget of $128 million for its first phase. However, bids received exceeded the budget and the project was paused for 30 months.
Information regarding the project is found in the Trib|Live article from January 22, 2026. Hempfield Area School Board reopens bidding for $150M high school project
The previous iteration of the project utilized an alternative construction delivery approach, commonly referred to as a “blended” delivery model. Under this structure, a portion of the work was procured through a traditional public bidding process led by an architect, while another portion was delivered using the Guaranteed Energy Savings Act (GESA) methodology.
GESA is a nationally recognized program that allows public entities to implement energy-related improvements through a financing model in which projected energy savings over time are used to offset project costs. While each state administers its own version of the program, the core framework typically includes elements such as a defined project budget, performance guarantees, and reduced exposure to change orders.
Although GESA can provide fixed cost certainty and accelerated implementation for energy-focused improvements, its application within broader large capital projects, particularly those funded with public dollars, has been a subject in question.
Based on the data provided with the current construction bid of $116 Million, the District’s approach to design the project based on a traditional model for a comprehensive renovation project including all desired educational and facility scope, and yielded a significant savings.
Current Project
Following the pause to reevaluate their direct, the district retained Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates to reassess the project. This included a comprehensive evaluation of academic programming, facility conditions, and financial expectations.
CRA led a series of programming workshops, building assessments, and stakeholder engagement sessions. The result is a fully integrated master plan that addresses educational adequacy, deferred maintenance, and provides flexible modern learning environments.
Superintendent Dr. Mark Holtzman emphasized the significance of the updated approach: “The renovation is critical to the future, not only of our sending communities, but our school district family. This has been a long time coming.”
Assistant Superintendent Matt Conner added: “The professionals this time around — it was a very detailed, thorough approach. We spent time looking at the educational programming that currently exists. We spent time working with all of those teachers, the administration, about the vision for the future and what that education is going to be.”
Project Significance
The comprehensive renovation of the high school’s outdated layout will transform it into a dynamic, future ready learning environment designed to inspire connection, creativity, and deeper engagement. By infusing the building with innovative, multi scaled teaching spaces—from small breakout rooms to flexible, technology rich collaboration zones—the redesign supports a wider range of learning styles and instructional approaches.
Open, light filled commons areas encourage spontaneous interaction, while adaptable classrooms allow educators to shift seamlessly between group work, hands on projects, and direct instruction. Together, these enhancements create a vibrant, student centered atmosphere where learning feels active, relevant, and connected to the collaborative demands of the modern world.
The project represents a long-term investment in educational quality, operational efficiency, and community impact.
Project Scope and Phasing
The three year, phased addition and renovation of the high school is designed to modernize the campus while maintaining full student operations throughout construction. By sequencing work into manageable phases, the project minimizes disruptions and ensures that essential spaces remain accessible. Each phase targets key academic, programmatic, and infrastructure needs.
Phase 1 focuses on constructing a two-story addition that links the auditorium to the pool, forming a new hub for collaboration and student activity. This addition will house a state of the art Innovation Center featuring administrative offices, a media center, a school store, an innovation lab, and flexible, collaborative learning spaces. Phase 1 also includes renovation of existing classrooms and comprehensive upgrades to the natatorium, including a new pool vessel, auditorium, and roof systems.
Phase 2 centers on the renovation of additional classroom areas, the cafeteria, and the library. These improvements enhance functionality, circulation, and overall student experience, creating more welcoming and adaptable environments for daily learning and community use.
Phase 3 includes expansion of the field house lobby, interior renovations to the field house and rear building areas, and reconfiguration of parking areas. This final phase improves site circulation, strengthens connections across the campus, and upgrades key athletic and community facing spaces.
Next Steps and Timeline
The current bid package includes all three phases of the project. Pending approvals, construction is anticipated to begin in June, with substantial completion projected for June 2029.
Superintendent Holtzman noted: “We are out to bid today with a lot of optimism. I think the future of this project is going to really help shape the county. Nobody has what we’re trying to accomplish here with the pure size and commitment, and also being able to manage it financially responsibly.”
He added: “To see it come to fruition is great, and I can’t imagine what it will be like when we break ground.”
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