The Parkland school board has granted approval to Kelly Clough Bucher and Associates Inc., Hatfield, for architectural and engineering services to design and construct a new elementary school in Upper Macungie Township.

The school is considered necessary by district officials to handle increased enrollment resulting from construction of new houses in the southwestern portion of the district.

Superintendent Richard Sniscak reported, at the Jan. 24 school board meeting, 25 invitations were sent to firms, with 21 responses received.

Seven candidates were interviewed in the first round, then the group was narrowed to three.

KCBA was selected unanimously from the final firms under consideration.

“This was an exhaustive study,” board President David Kennedy said.

Sniscak said the architectural review committee included Rod Troutman, Tracy Smith, Dave Keppel, Pam Kelly and himself from the administrative staff; Solicitor Steven Miller; board members Kennedy and Carol Facchiano; and Tom Daniels from construction manager Alvin H. Butz Co.

He said KCBA will receive a percentage of the building cost, which has not yet been determined.

Sniscak introduced Brian Brandis and Jamie Bortz, a Parkland graduate. Both are representatives of the firm.

The superintendent noted KCBA had two area design projects in recent years - the new Hopewell Elementary School in Southern Lehigh and Northampton Middle School.

He offered remarks on the timeline.

“Tomorrow they start,” Sniscak said. “They will lay the groundwork for the design phase and assist with the land acquisition and development process.

“We are still working at finalizing details but anticipate bringing an agreement of sale to the board in February.

“It’s a long process with land to get approvals. We want to start early to make sure there are no hiccups.”

Fall 2020 is the target date for occupancy of the new school.