The last few years have been marked by rapid change. National and global events have impacted us all, making us thankful for the stability of our neighborhood and community institutions. As members of the Brentwood Borough Board of School Directors, we understand that while we may not be able to control events that happen elsewhere, by working together we can have a positive impact on our community, our families and the children we serve every day. As we look toward sustaining and growing our close-knit neighborhood, we have come to recognize that an investment in our school district through the construction of a new elementary school building is a wise course of action that will support our families for years to come.

Since 2019, Brentwood School Board members, along with our administration, have been exploring the possibility of consolidating the District’s two elementary schools into one new school building. Elroy Elementary was built just after World War I in 1921. Moore Elementary School was already standing in 1915 when the district was incorporated. 

Although both buildings have been meticulously maintained over the years, time has taken its toll. Significant renovations are required on both the Elroy and Moore schools in order to keep the facilities safe and in good working order. A feasibility study conducted in 2017 indicated that the District would have to spend $5 to $7 million to renovate each elementary building for a minimum total cost of $12 million. According to the feasibility study, the following renovations, at minimum, are required:

After the feasibility study was presented, the Brentwood School Board began the process of exploring the possibility of consolidating its two aging elementary buildings and constructing a new building. While the COVID-19 pandemic caused some delays, a variety of public discussions were held to consider the potential impact that a new school building would have on the community, including its tax burden, traffic and infrastructure. In addition to the monthly public board meetings that are available via livestream, the following public meetings were held to learn more about how the community would feel about building a new elementary school. 

Another public meeting will be held this spring at a date yet to be determined. All residents will be invited to attend.

In addition to the public meetings, multiple news articles were published through the InBrentwood Baldwin Whitehall magazine:

In 2019, it was learned that St. Sylvester school and convent were closing and that the properties would be available for sale. After several rounds of discussions, the District came to a preliminary agreement with the Diocese of Pittsburgh to purchase the properties on the condition of securing the necessary approvals from Brentwood Borough. In late January 2023, the Borough granted the final approval which enabled the District to move towards the purchasing of the Diocese properties. We sincerely thank our local leaders for their consideration and assistance, and for providing a clear pathway to ensure the success of this important project.

The Brentwood Borough School District is at a natural inflexion point. Architects have been hired and the process of securing a company to handle the demolition of St. Sylvester's school, convent, and house will begin. The Board of School Directors and the administration continue to interview prospective agents who will be tasked with selling the elementary schools with two specific goals in mind. First, enhance the Brentwood community with the redevelopment of the properties. Second, add the properties to the Borough's tax assessment rolls which will generate new revenue. Before the project goes too far, additional public meetings will be held to discuss the construction project, its costs, and how the potential growth might affect the community. Everyone will be invited to attend, and the District will publicize the meetings as dates are solidified. We welcome and encourage your feedback and thank you for your interest in the District’s future.

Over the last several years, the Brentwood Borough School District Board and administration have worked together to thoughtfully and deliberately consider how to best use its community investment to serve our students, our families, and our borough. As your friends, relatives, and neighbors, we sincerely care about the long-term stability and well-being of our community. While we respect and honor our history, as an elected board, we recognize that we must take the steps necessary to ensure that our students are prepared to succeed and achieve in our global 21^st century world. An investment in our school district today will not only support Brentwood’s stable tax base but will also encourage new growth so that our dynamic community continues to thrive for tomorrow’s children.