From the York Daily Record.

New year, new schools
Growing student bodies require new classrooms.
By NICHOLE DOBO

Daily Record/Sunday News
Article Last Updated: 08/13/2008 12:23:14 AM EDT

Across the region, student enrollment has increased significantly in the last few years, and new schools are being built as classrooms fill up.

Here are a few facts and the status of some of the county's latest school building projects.

Spring Grove Area School District

--- The new high school was priced as the second-lowest Pennsylvania high school that was bid on in 2006. It cost about $147 per square foot, for a total of $49.8 million.

--- There are 80 classrooms, a 25-meter-long swimming pool and a 425-seat cafeteria. Lining the halls are 150 security cameras, and exterior cameras can zoom in to read a license plate a quarter-mile away. Season tickets with assigned seats will be available at the new 5,000-seat stadium.

York City School District

--- The school received bids last week for a new 800-capacity Ferguson Elementary. The estimated building cost is about $24 million.

--- School board and administration members will spend the next two weeks looking into details such as types of flooring and windows to be used. One option would place blinds inside the window panes, which would cut on maintenance costs, and energy savings could come from smart rooms that have lights that are in tune with natural lighting.

Dallastown Area High School

--- A new intermediate center has been planned for the district for the past two years, and the project could be finalized this year.

--- The project, which was estimated to cost $60 million two years ago, will house 1,800 fourth- through sixth-graders. The school district will open bids for the project Aug. 18, and officials are anticipating that inflation and a sharp increase in construction materials will escalate the cost.

Other projects

--- Eastern York School District high schoolers will go to a renovated building this year. About 85 percent of the building is new, and construction will continue, including the addition of an auditorium.

--- Central York School District students and community members should expect the natatorium to be completed this year. The tentative opening date is early December.

--- Rather than add on to their high school, the South Eastern York School District will use modular classrooms for some students. The hope is to avoid a costly construction project.