The Downingtown Area School District Administration will strive to recommend another budget without an increase in taxes.  If they are able to achieve their goal, this would be the second consecutive year without a tax increase for residents in Chester County's largest School District.  Superintendent Dr. Larry Mussoline noted that "This would be a significant accomplishment given that we will be opening a brand new school (6th Grade Center) in September of 2014. I would imagine a zero mill tax increase is unprecedented in Pennsylvania when there is a new school being opened. This is a compliment to the School Board for having the foresight to plan a significant increase in costs and not having to raise taxes. 

For almost two years, the new school in Uwchlan Township has been simply known as the "Sixth Grade Center". On January 22, 2014 the building received its formal name - the Marsh Creek Sixth Grade Center.

Hundreds of names were submitted in a survey put out to the residents of the district last year. Principal Thomas Mulvey surveyed the 5th grade students throughout the district. The names ranged from the unique "Central Six" to the humorous "Mulvey Manor".

The school board selected five finalists after polling all parents and students going to the school next year. The top names from that poll were: Dowlin Forge, Milltown, Milford Mills, Marsh Creek and Dorlan Mills. Last evening, the Board chose Marsh Creek. They also approved adding "Sixth Grade Center" to the name to distinguish it as a central school that will educate all 6th grade students in the district.

The new school is located in Uwchlan Township, and is approximately � mile from the Marsh Creek Reservoir and state park. The man-made Marsh Creek Lake provides drinking water to area residents is stocked with fish and is a stop for migrating waterfowl.   It is open to fishing and recreational boating. Between the years of 1964 and 1978, the state of Pennsylvania acquired the land, the former farming village of Milford Mills. The state demolished the village, cleared the valley of trees and other obstacles and built a dam. The lake filled and opened to recreation in 1974.

Principal Mulvey is pleased with the new name. He envisions the school to be an environmental hub where students can use the nearby park and waterways for study. "All students will participate in an interdisciplinary project on the waterways. We are seeking grant funding to create an outdoor classroom that could be used by our sister schools across the district" .

21 of the 342 suggested names submitted by residents were for Marsh Creek. Those 21 names will be placed in a hat and one name will be pulled.  That resident will have the honor of having a plaque placed in the building for helping to name our new school!