Dear Quaker Valley Community,
We are writing to provide clarity and accountability regarding the progress of our new Quaker Valley High School project, particularly in response to a recent headline published in the Sewickley Herald on December 11, 2025.
The headline “New Quaker Valley High School opening pushed back 2 years” is misleading. It implies that the District and the Board of School Directors made a recent deliberate decision to delay this project. That did not occur. At no time did the Board vote to pause, reset, or intentionally push back the project timeline. Updates to the projected opening of our high school have been ongoing since the project’s beginning and are reflective of the cumulative impact of external postponements that accrued incrementally over several years, not a single recent decision or change in commitment. We are committed to making this project a reality!
What Has Caused the Timeline Revisions
The primary causes of delay were not planning deficiencies or indecision by the District, but sustained external obstacles beyond the District’s control:
- An extraordinarily prolonged and atypical zoning process, including 11 zoning hearings, that departed from normal timelines for public projects and ultimately required judicial correction in favor of the District.
- Legal appeals and persistent efforts to impede the progress of the project filed by a small number of individuals. While unsuccessful, these actions slowed progress and imposed legal costs on the District and taxpayers.
- Multi-agency state and federal permitting reviews that are required for a development of this size and scope. These reviews have been impacted by both natural disaster-related obligations and the recent federal shutdown.
It is important for the community to understand that these delays were not the result of broad community opposition, nor were they the result of inaction by the District. Please understand that we know that the public desires a timeline, and we have worked at every stage to provide timeline updates based on the most current and accurate information available. Until we have secured and awarded bids, the District has limited control of this final completion date.
Where the Project Stands at this Time
Despite these challenges, the District has continued to move this project forward responsibly and decisively:
- All zoning and land development approvals are complete
- The educational vision and building design are substantially advanced
- Grants have been awarded to the District to offset costs and enhance the project’s impact
- A highly experienced construction manager is in place and actively working to control costs and coordinate next steps
- State and federal permitting is underway and progressing through required reviews
- Site preparation is planned to begin as soon as final approvals are issued
Through careful management, the District endeavors to keep the project within budget projections despite nationwide construction cost volatility.
Why This Project is Important
This new high school represents a long-term investment in the entire Quaker Valley community. It will provide:
- Safe, modern, and sustainable learning environments
- Facilities designed to support academic excellence, innovation, career readiness, and student wellness
- Improved operational efficiency and responsible stewardship of taxpayer resources
- Long-term benefits to community pride, property values, and regional competitiveness
This facility is designed to serve students, staff, and residents for generations!
Moving Forward
As the project enters its final regulatory phases, community support is more important than ever. Your voices carry weight, and positive engagement can help ensure this long-planned investment is realized.
The Administration and Board remain fully committed to delivering a high-quality high school as efficiently, transparently, and responsibly as possible. Thank you for your continued patience, trust, and support. We invite you to visit our website to learn more about the project at www.qvsd.org/blueprintqv.
Very truly yours,
Quaker Valley School District Administration and Board of School Directors