Unionville-Chadds Ford School Board Halts Middle School Project Design

Concerns over Act 34 compliance and the need for a construction manager lead to a pause in the design process.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 6:39pm

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A high-contrast silkscreen print of a school locker repeated in a grid pattern, rendered in vibrant neon colors and heavy black outlines to create a modern pop art aesthetic.As the Unionville-Chadds Ford School Board pauses the middle school project design, the community awaits a decision that will shape the future of education facilities in the district.Chadds Ford Today

The Unionville-Chadds Ford School Board has halted the design work on a new middle school project after concerns were raised about Act 34 compliance and the need for a construction manager. Superintendent Tim Hofman outlined several key discussion points, including room utilization calculations, the potential for a referendum to fund the project, and the decision to replace the existing CF Patton Middle School rather than renovate it.

Why it matters

The middle school project is a major undertaking for the district, and the board's decision to pause the design process reflects their desire to thoroughly address community concerns and ensure the project meets all legal and budgetary requirements. The outcome of this discussion will have significant implications for the future of education facilities in the Unionville-Chadds Ford school district.

The details

Superintendent Hofman said the district's architect, Breslin Architects, has been told to stop work on the design. Key issues include potential Act 34 compliance problems related to the ratio of instructional to non-instructional spaces, as well as concerns about escalation and contingency costs not being properly accounted for. The board is also considering hiring a construction manager to work collaboratively with the district and architect during the design and construction phases. Additionally, the decision to replace the existing middle school rather than renovate it was discussed, with the board citing the high cost and significant disruption a renovation would cause to the educational program.

  • The school board discussed the middle school project during their April 14, 2026 meeting.
  • The board will have a week to further discuss the issues and make a decision at their April 20, 2026 meeting.

The players

Tim Hofman

Superintendent of Schools for the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District.

James Whitesel

Director of Facilities for the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District.

Breslin Architects

The architecture firm hired to design the new middle school project.

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What they’re saying

“There are a lot of questions and a lot of discussion points that I think are important for people to have the opportunity to talk about and weigh in on or to consider as we move forward tonight.”

— Tim Hofman, Superintendent

“Currently, at Patton, I can identify at least five rooms now that were listed as teacher work room, a team room, a copy room when the building was [most]recently redesigned and added onto in 1998, and those spaces are all now instruction optional spaces.”

— James Whitesel, Director of Facilities

“As Mr. Whitesel said, it's a much harder path to take. I couldn't consciously sit here and say that we'd be able to provide the end product that the school district is looking for.”

— Joe Everett, Director

What’s next

The school board will further discuss the middle school project at their April 20, 2026 meeting, where they are expected to make a decision on how to proceed.

The takeaway

The Unionville-Chadds Ford School Board's decision to pause the middle school project design reflects their commitment to addressing community concerns and ensuring the project meets all legal and budgetary requirements. The outcome of this discussion will have significant implications for the future of education facilities in the district.