Plans to replace CF Patton Middle School now carry an estimated price tag of $139.5 million, about $19 million more than projected after a feasibility study, district officials said during a January school board work session. Facilities director James Whitesell said the estimate is roughly $8 million lower than earlier schematic design projections, while Superintendent Tim Hoffman praised cost reductions made without sacrificing program needs. Hoffman cautioned, however, that the project remains significantly over budget and could strain instructional programs if pursued on the current timeline, prompting a proposal to delay construction from 2027 to 2031. He said the delay would allow existing debt from a high school renovation to roll off, improving the district’s financial position, even as he acknowledged future construction costs could rise.
Source: Chadds Ford Live; 1/13/2026