Credit: The Reporter.
Three Norristown Area School District facilities will soon expand in size after school board members authorized a nearly $12.2 million contract earlier this week.
The school board convened a special meeting Monday evening to vote on the $12,191,500 agreement with the Littleton, Massachusetts-based Triumph Modular Co. to “construct and install prefabricated additions” at the school district’s administration building in West Norriton, as well as Cole Manor and Hancock elementary schools in East Norriton Township and Norristown, respectively.
District Superintendent Christopher Dormer applauded the undertaking, which he said will bring “some short-term and some speedy space relief that is much needed in our district with long-term stability for the investment of our tax dollars.”
The project will produce eight classrooms and two flex spaces, according to Dormer, serving as fully equipped classrooms complete with technology and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning. School district officials anticipated the spaces would be available for use during the 2026-27 academic year.
Space Demands
Officials previously had identified space issues at the administrative facility and two elementary schools.
“They have reached their functional capacity at their buildings, meaning we were effectively out of additional space, and as we continue to have space demands, at least for now driven by special education programming,” Dormer said of the two elementary schools as he noted the district’s need for rooms to comply with mandated autism support classes with sizes of no more than eight students.
“The need for that type of space — where it’s very space intensive programming — continues to grow and we either are going to have to start outsourcing students to out-of-district placements at an exceptionally higher cost per student or … [find] a really good long-term and short-term solution to get us functional space ASAP,” Dormer said.
The eight-figure agreement would provide Cole Manor Elementary School, 2350 Springview Road, with 10 modules, totaling around 11,300 square feet for roughly $4.48 million. Hancock Elementary School, 1520 Arch St., would receive 11 modules, totaling around 12,350 square feet, for $4.78 million.
Additionally, the administration building, 401 N. Whitehall Road, West Norriton Township, would get “four modules on basement foundation,” totaling around 7,770 square feet for roughly $2.92 million, according to contract documents.
“As far as the administration building, we ran out of space about three years ago,” Dormer said, as employees have been “doubling up” in existing offices.
“This gives us a much needed space for both our current staffing needs and … future staffing needs as well,” Dormer said.
Prioritizing for Growth
He stressed they will be “prioritizing the school sites” when it comes to development.
When asked about possible change orders, Chief Operations Officer Jeffrey Cardwell noted a 10% up-charge for them. However, Dormer sought to assure elected officials of his confidence in the plan.
“This is what we’re going with. There will be no changes initiated by the district,” Dormer said.
The building process involves laying foundation and assembling delivered materials, which school district officials expect to take place this upcoming spring and hope for a June 2026 completion date. Cardwell said he plans to provide progress updates to school district officials and community members.
“I want to see them moved in,” said school board member Sharon Hale Mauch.
The contract was authorized in a 7-0 vote with absences from board members Melissa Novoa and Cynthia Wirth. The next Norristown Area School District school board meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 25 at the school district’s administrative building. Those interested in attending the meeting also can do so virtually. Visit nasd.k12.pa.us for more information.
