In this episode of the Better Learning Podcast, host Mark Barga sits down with Dr. Tim Matlack (superintendent), Ken Bonkoski (director of facilities), and Phil Leinbach (architect, EM Architects) to tell the story of Antietam School District's response to a catastrophic flash flood on July 9, 2023 — and how a small, resource-limited district turned disaster into opportunity.

Episode Takeaways:

• Crisis demands rapid, creative pivoting. When floodwaters destroyed 110,000 sq. ft. of educational space housing grades 7-12 and the district office — with FEMA providing zero financial assistance — the team had to improvise immediately. Students were relocated to a church, a neighboring elementary building, and eventually modular units, all while school opened on time that fall.
• Institutional trust is the foundation of effective school construction. With a decades-long relationship between the district and EM Architects, the team could move fast without losing alignment. Phil's advice: don't discard your architect like swapping doctors — that institutional knowledge of budgets, building history, and community context is irreplaceable.
• Flood-resilient design is possible, not just theoretical. The new Stony Creek Elementary is being built eight feet above the breach point of the 2023 flood, with solid creek-facing walls, storm water infrastructure, and a simplified rectangular footprint — giving the community genuine confidence without making promises nobody can guarantee.
• A strong school culture is built on shared purpose, not just shared hardship. Staff, neighboring districts (Exeter SD), community volunteers, and the National Guard all rallied around the district. Tim credits the faculty's family-like culture — which predates the flood — as the reason the district bent but didn't break.
• Flexibility is the greatest ability in school design and leadership. Phil's maxim: "Be like Gumby — bend, don't break." Ken's approach: don't get overwhelmed by the mountain in front of you; prioritize logistically, stay calm (mostly), own your mistakes, and keep moving. Tim's anchor: shared values around student outcomes are what let a team push through frustration and disagreement.

About Dr. Tim Matlack:

It was a singular honor for Dr. Timothy A. Matlack to rejoin the Mounts community in the role of Superintendent. From 2007-2022, he was fortunate enough to serve in a number of roles within the Antietam School District.

For ten years, Dr. Matlack taught at the Middle-Senior High School in the Language Arts Department. For the next five years, he was given the opportunity to be an Assistant Principal K-12, Athletic Director and Curriculum Supervisor. In that time, he came to understand Antietam for the unique, supportive and tenacious community that it is.

From 2022-2024, while he was the Director of Teaching and Learning at Tulpehocken Area School District, he thought often of Antietam and leapt at the opportunity to return as the Superintendent.

About Ken Bonkoski:

Ken Bonkoski is a facilities and maintenance professional based in Reading, Pennsylvania, known for his dedicated service in public education. He serves as the Facilities Manager for the Antietam School District, where he oversees building operations and ensures a safe, functional environment for students and staff.

In addition to his work in education, Bonkoski is the owner of KB Construction, a company he founded in 1996. Through decades of hands-on experience, he has built a reputation for quality craftsmanship, reliability, and attention to detail across a wide range of construction and maintenance projects.

Bonkoski gained wider recognition after being selected as a 2026 Pennsylvania RISE (Recognizing Inspiring School Employees) Award honoree, a distinction that highlights non-teaching school staff who make exceptional contributions to their communities.

Colleagues and community members praise his strong work ethic and commitment. He is known for going beyond his standard responsibilities—often arriving early and staying late—to keep school facilities running smoothly and to support both students and staff.

About Phil Leinbach:

Philip began his career at AEM Architects in 1991 as a graduate architect and received his PA registration in 1994. He joined ownership of the firm in 2000 and ascended to President in 2012.

Philip's background is in construction having worked for the family construction company prior to attending college. For over 35 years, his architectural philosophy has centered around the concept that the greatest design is worthless if it cannot be constructed effectively and efficiently by the skilled contractors in the local marketplace. He is a hands-on professional focused on creating programmatic and operational value for his clients and providing responsive construction administration that is critical to the success of all projects.

Episode 334 of the Better Learning Podcast

For more information on our partners:

Association for Learning Environments (A4LE) - https://www.a4le.org/

Education Leaders' Organization - https://www.ed-leaders.org/

Second Class Foundation - https://secondclassfoundation.org/

EDmarket - https://www.edmarket.org/

Catapult @ Penn GSE - https://catapult.gse.upenn.edu/

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