From the BCCT.
What's the lesson here for the Morrisville renovations?
No, "let Pennsbury deal with it" was not the lesson. Try again.
Keeping up to code proving costly
By ANNIE TASKER
Upper Moreland School District officials took care to plan a large-scale, $34.5 million high school renovation project.
They didn’t expect to be caught off guard by extra exit signs.
Halfway through the project, some district officials are frustrated by the mounting cost of last-minute township code inspector requirements.
Unexpected mandates for additional signage, security equipment and other fire safety initiatives have cost nearly $75,000 to date, said district business manager Michael Braun. School board member Donald Warner, who said he sought an architect’s second opinion on some of the extra measures, said some of his irritation stems from the fact that the previous township fire marshal signed off on the renovation plans before construction began.
The school district will always err on the side of caution, and every township safety order will be followed to the letter, Braun said.
“We just wish we’d known about this ahead of time so we could have designed better,” he said.
That $75,000 is not much in the scheme of the multimillion-dollar project, especially considering that the district has used only about a quarter of its $1.5 million project contingency fund. The change orders aren’t breaking the bank, “but it’s still frustrating,” Warner said.
Braun said different township inspectors have been sent to review the construction progress, and each had an eye out for something a little different. An extra $27,522 for fire alarms was required at one point; the district learned late in the game that exit signs were required above every classroom door in the science wing, which added another $10,250 to the tab.
Had the extra materials been included in the bid specifications, the district may have been able to buy them at a better price, Braun said — but the piecemeal change orders have started to add up.
To date, renovations have included a new science wing and renovations to classrooms, a multipurpose wrestling room and an administrative suite. More classroom work is set for the second half of the project. Upper Moreland waived permit fees for the Terwood Road school project.
Warner said he wants someone in charge at the township to start rattling some cages, since the money funding the change orders comes out of the same taxpayer pockets.
But the people in charge said they didn’t know there were cages to rattle.
Upper Moreland township Manager David Dodies said he hadn’t heard about the district’s issues with the inspections, and Commissioner President Stacey Efkowitz said she knew of some conflicts around the time school started, but thought they’d been resolved.
Showing posts with label renovation in other districts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label renovation in other districts. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Renovation Blues
From the BCCT.
Some little elementary school, built in 1957, last renovated in 1972, needs to bring the renovation bids under $8 million. For one school? Eight million?
Please! Come to Morrisville! See the Emperor in action! He can renovate a whole DISTRICT for that kind of money. He knows people...
District hopes second round of renovation bids is better
By: AMANDA CREGAN
Tinicum Elementary officials are hoping the price to renovate will be cheaper now.
More contractors are looking for work, and it may just help taxpayers' bottom line.
Palisades School District officials are hoping for better estimates and more of them as they collect new bids for a complete building renovation of Tinicum Elementary.
When the district first advertised the work in April, only one contractor responded, and his bid was $3 million more than the school's $8.1 million estimate. Board members voted against it.
The school has put out a call in the new year for another round of contractor bids for Tinicum building renovations, which include a four-classroom addition and energy-efficient, geothermal heating and air-conditioning improvements.
Palisades facilities manager Dave Keppel is already optimistic.
"There seems to be a lot of interest in the job," he said. "We're just hoping to get a better response from contractors, and with that hopefully better prices."
Built in 1957, Tinicum Elementary houses 256 students from kindergarten through fifth grade.
The Pipersville school hasn't seen any major renovations since 1972, said Keppel.
Contractors' sealed bids are due by Jan. 29, and the school board will later vote to accept the best estimate.
This time around, competitive costs will prove even more crucial as homeowners in the Palisades district are already looking at a nearly $200 tax increase in the 2009-10 school year.
The school board unanimously passed its preliminary budget last week.
The district is facing about a $268,000 drop in revenue, mostly due to a $1 million increase in expenditures and a decrease in real estate transfer taxes.
Palisades' current tax rate is set at 100 mills, but a new rate of 109.894 is needed to cover next year's spending plan.
A mill is a tax of $1 on every $1,000 of a property assessed value.
Under Act 1, which limits how much Pennsylvania schools can raise taxes, Palisades may only increase its mill rate to 104.100.
But with a school construction exception, that rate could be as high as 105.616 mills or a $191 increase for the average homeowner next year.
Some little elementary school, built in 1957, last renovated in 1972, needs to bring the renovation bids under $8 million. For one school? Eight million?
Please! Come to Morrisville! See the Emperor in action! He can renovate a whole DISTRICT for that kind of money. He knows people...
District hopes second round of renovation bids is better
By: AMANDA CREGAN
Tinicum Elementary officials are hoping the price to renovate will be cheaper now.
More contractors are looking for work, and it may just help taxpayers' bottom line.
Palisades School District officials are hoping for better estimates and more of them as they collect new bids for a complete building renovation of Tinicum Elementary.
When the district first advertised the work in April, only one contractor responded, and his bid was $3 million more than the school's $8.1 million estimate. Board members voted against it.
The school has put out a call in the new year for another round of contractor bids for Tinicum building renovations, which include a four-classroom addition and energy-efficient, geothermal heating and air-conditioning improvements.
Palisades facilities manager Dave Keppel is already optimistic.
"There seems to be a lot of interest in the job," he said. "We're just hoping to get a better response from contractors, and with that hopefully better prices."
Built in 1957, Tinicum Elementary houses 256 students from kindergarten through fifth grade.
The Pipersville school hasn't seen any major renovations since 1972, said Keppel.
Contractors' sealed bids are due by Jan. 29, and the school board will later vote to accept the best estimate.
This time around, competitive costs will prove even more crucial as homeowners in the Palisades district are already looking at a nearly $200 tax increase in the 2009-10 school year.
The school board unanimously passed its preliminary budget last week.
The district is facing about a $268,000 drop in revenue, mostly due to a $1 million increase in expenditures and a decrease in real estate transfer taxes.
Palisades' current tax rate is set at 100 mills, but a new rate of 109.894 is needed to cover next year's spending plan.
A mill is a tax of $1 on every $1,000 of a property assessed value.
Under Act 1, which limits how much Pennsylvania schools can raise taxes, Palisades may only increase its mill rate to 104.100.
But with a school construction exception, that rate could be as high as 105.616 mills or a $191 increase for the average homeowner next year.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Bad Economy = Lower Costs?
From the NJ Star-Ledger.
So? Dust off the old K-12 school plans and let's see if it can be built for less money. Stop trying to cram kids into a school that was built for the 1950s and lets have a 21st century school that can accommodate everyone.
Taxpayers save on two school projects
Construction slump leads to cut-rate bids
Thursday, January 08, 2009
BY RUDY LARINI Star-Ledger Staff
The dismal economy does have its bright spots.
The New Jersey Schools Development Authority, the state agency responsible for school construction, is benefiting from a depressed construction market that will save taxpayers nearly $9 million to build two schools in South Jersey.
Eighteen bids were received for the two projects, including a dozen for one of the schools. James Poole, the authority's senior director for procurement and contract services, said the dozen bids was "unprecedented" for a project of that magnitude in his experience with the authority and its predecessor, the Schools Construction Corp.
Kris Kolluri, the authority's chief executive officer, attributed the high number of bidders to a "robust and competitive" construction industry in a depressed economy where residential and commercial development have slowed to a crawl.
"The market conditions have a lot to do with it," Kolluri said. "And the low cost is a benefit that the taxpayers will enjoy."
The project attracting 12 bidders was the Egg Harbor Middle and Elementary School in Atlantic County, whose cost had been estimated at $17.9 million. Yesterday, the authority's board accepted a low bid of $15.2 million by Tamburro Bros. Construction Co. of Millville.
The board also approved awarding the low bid of $21 million by Chanree Construction Co. of Ortley Beach for the Morgan Village Middle School in Camden, a project whose cost had been estimated at $27.2 million.
Both the Egg Harbor school for 364 students and the Morgan Village school for 520 students are scheduled to open in September 2010.
Kolluri also said plans are proceeding to preserve either the full facade or just the tower portion of the 92-year-old Camden High School while building a new $110 million school behind it.
Saving only the tower would cost about $4 million, while restoring the entire facade would cost about $6 million, he said.
The board had held off last month approving a $21 million exterior renovation as part of a $120 million project to modernize the school after questions arose over whether it would be more cost effective to build a new school.
The iconic high school, known as the "castle on the hill," is regarded as an inspirational landmark overlooking the Parkside neighborhood southeast of downtown Camden.
So? Dust off the old K-12 school plans and let's see if it can be built for less money. Stop trying to cram kids into a school that was built for the 1950s and lets have a 21st century school that can accommodate everyone.
Taxpayers save on two school projects
Construction slump leads to cut-rate bids
Thursday, January 08, 2009
BY RUDY LARINI Star-Ledger Staff
The dismal economy does have its bright spots.
The New Jersey Schools Development Authority, the state agency responsible for school construction, is benefiting from a depressed construction market that will save taxpayers nearly $9 million to build two schools in South Jersey.
Eighteen bids were received for the two projects, including a dozen for one of the schools. James Poole, the authority's senior director for procurement and contract services, said the dozen bids was "unprecedented" for a project of that magnitude in his experience with the authority and its predecessor, the Schools Construction Corp.
Kris Kolluri, the authority's chief executive officer, attributed the high number of bidders to a "robust and competitive" construction industry in a depressed economy where residential and commercial development have slowed to a crawl.
"The market conditions have a lot to do with it," Kolluri said. "And the low cost is a benefit that the taxpayers will enjoy."
The project attracting 12 bidders was the Egg Harbor Middle and Elementary School in Atlantic County, whose cost had been estimated at $17.9 million. Yesterday, the authority's board accepted a low bid of $15.2 million by Tamburro Bros. Construction Co. of Millville.
The board also approved awarding the low bid of $21 million by Chanree Construction Co. of Ortley Beach for the Morgan Village Middle School in Camden, a project whose cost had been estimated at $27.2 million.
Both the Egg Harbor school for 364 students and the Morgan Village school for 520 students are scheduled to open in September 2010.
Kolluri also said plans are proceeding to preserve either the full facade or just the tower portion of the 92-year-old Camden High School while building a new $110 million school behind it.
Saving only the tower would cost about $4 million, while restoring the entire facade would cost about $6 million, he said.
The board had held off last month approving a $21 million exterior renovation as part of a $120 million project to modernize the school after questions arose over whether it would be more cost effective to build a new school.
The iconic high school, known as the "castle on the hill," is regarded as an inspirational landmark overlooking the Parkside neighborhood southeast of downtown Camden.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Plans, plans, and more plans
From the Inquirer.
Our neighbors to the south are building a new elementary school. It's been in the planning stages for ten tears, but it's been PLANNED! The Philly School District is much, much larger than Morrisville, but look at their planning staff.
Plans are for sissies anyway. We can do it on the say so of the Emperor and the board of selected toadies. That's all we need.
Groundbreaking set for new elementary school
Posted on Thu, Nov. 27, 2008
After years of delays, the Philadelphia School District will break ground on a new Frances E. Willard Elementary school next week.
The new school will include a two-story, 96,000-square-foot building for 850 students. Planned is an industrial-looking exterior with a combination of steel and masonry structures. The new Willard will rise on a former cemetery site, which was most recently used by the city as a recreation center. Human remains buried at the site have been moved.
The Kensington school community has been waiting for a new building since 1998. In the current Willard building, the only student restrooms are in the basement. Also, the school has no cafeteria, so students must eat in their classrooms.
The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at the current school site, 2900 Emerald St. - Kristen A. Graham
Our neighbors to the south are building a new elementary school. It's been in the planning stages for ten tears, but it's been PLANNED! The Philly School District is much, much larger than Morrisville, but look at their planning staff.
Plans are for sissies anyway. We can do it on the say so of the Emperor and the board of selected toadies. That's all we need.
Groundbreaking set for new elementary school
Posted on Thu, Nov. 27, 2008
After years of delays, the Philadelphia School District will break ground on a new Frances E. Willard Elementary school next week.
The new school will include a two-story, 96,000-square-foot building for 850 students. Planned is an industrial-looking exterior with a combination of steel and masonry structures. The new Willard will rise on a former cemetery site, which was most recently used by the city as a recreation center. Human remains buried at the site have been moved.
The Kensington school community has been waiting for a new building since 1998. In the current Willard building, the only student restrooms are in the basement. Also, the school has no cafeteria, so students must eat in their classrooms.
The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at the current school site, 2900 Emerald St. - Kristen A. Graham
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Flashers and Heaters and Furniture Oh My!
From the BCCT.
Board approves new expenditures for new school
Posted in News on Monday, November 24th, 2008 at 3:16 pm by Joan Hellyer
The Bristol school board agreed Thursday night to let administrators buy $531,628.57 worth of furniture and equipment for the district’s soon to be completed pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade school.
The facility is under construction next to the district’s Warren Snyder-John Girotti Elementary School off Buckley Street.
The board also entered into an agreement with Gilmore & Associates to design and construct two 15 MPH school zone flashers for the project. Plus, board members approved temporary heaters at the school for construction workers.
The school is expected to be completed in 2009.
Board approves new expenditures for new school
Posted in News on Monday, November 24th, 2008 at 3:16 pm by Joan Hellyer
The Bristol school board agreed Thursday night to let administrators buy $531,628.57 worth of furniture and equipment for the district’s soon to be completed pre-kindergarten through eighth-grade school.
The facility is under construction next to the district’s Warren Snyder-John Girotti Elementary School off Buckley Street.
The board also entered into an agreement with Gilmore & Associates to design and construct two 15 MPH school zone flashers for the project. Plus, board members approved temporary heaters at the school for construction workers.
The school is expected to be completed in 2009.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Neshaminy: High school renovation on schedule
From the BCCT.
High school renovation on schedule
Officials are closely watching the contingency fund, which is down to about $248,000 from $3.2 million.
By RACHEL CANELLI
Days, demolition and dollars — that’s what construction officials said they’re focusing on in the final months of the Neshaminy High School project.
With more than 122 weeks completed, and less than 46 left to go, administrators reported to the Neshaminy school board Wednesday night that the major renovation plan is on schedule.
Besides keeping an eye on remaining demolition and abatement work, officials said they’re closely watching the district’s contingency fund.
That account started at roughly $3.2 million to cover any additional work for bidders and any unforeseen costs, such as the climbing wall, which required reinforcements in the structural steel, said business administrator Joseph Paradise.
Now, the contingency is at about $248,000, said Damion Spahr, project executive for Reynolds, the firm directing the renovations.
“We’ve managed it conservatively because we didn’t want anyone to think that there was extra money out there,” Spahr reported to the board. “Is that enough? We don’t know, but we do believe that it’s plenty to get through the rest of construction. We just need to continue to hold back spending.”
More than $500,000 of the fund has been used to meet Middletown mandates, including roadwork to Old Lincoln Highway. Officials said they were withholding $100,000 for possible contractors’ claims and another $50,000 in case they needed to pave a gravel lot behind the Middletown school.
“We don’t know if when we tear down buildings we’ll find something that we don’t know is there,” said Spahr. “I’d like to see more in [the contingency], but we’re still in a manageable position. Things are going to come up. Our goal is to do what we need to and hopefully have something left.”
If the township requires the back lot to be paved, and what’s remaining in the fund can’t bear that last piece, the district and construction officials will have to look at other ways to deal with it.
While a few board members, like William Spitz, said they’re concerned about possibly having to pave that lot, other officials, including board member Ritchie Webb, said with Reynolds involved, they’re confident that there won’t be a problem.
High school renovation on schedule
Officials are closely watching the contingency fund, which is down to about $248,000 from $3.2 million.
By RACHEL CANELLI
Days, demolition and dollars — that’s what construction officials said they’re focusing on in the final months of the Neshaminy High School project.
With more than 122 weeks completed, and less than 46 left to go, administrators reported to the Neshaminy school board Wednesday night that the major renovation plan is on schedule.
Besides keeping an eye on remaining demolition and abatement work, officials said they’re closely watching the district’s contingency fund.
That account started at roughly $3.2 million to cover any additional work for bidders and any unforeseen costs, such as the climbing wall, which required reinforcements in the structural steel, said business administrator Joseph Paradise.
Now, the contingency is at about $248,000, said Damion Spahr, project executive for Reynolds, the firm directing the renovations.
“We’ve managed it conservatively because we didn’t want anyone to think that there was extra money out there,” Spahr reported to the board. “Is that enough? We don’t know, but we do believe that it’s plenty to get through the rest of construction. We just need to continue to hold back spending.”
More than $500,000 of the fund has been used to meet Middletown mandates, including roadwork to Old Lincoln Highway. Officials said they were withholding $100,000 for possible contractors’ claims and another $50,000 in case they needed to pave a gravel lot behind the Middletown school.
“We don’t know if when we tear down buildings we’ll find something that we don’t know is there,” said Spahr. “I’d like to see more in [the contingency], but we’re still in a manageable position. Things are going to come up. Our goal is to do what we need to and hopefully have something left.”
If the township requires the back lot to be paved, and what’s remaining in the fund can’t bear that last piece, the district and construction officials will have to look at other ways to deal with it.
While a few board members, like William Spitz, said they’re concerned about possibly having to pave that lot, other officials, including board member Ritchie Webb, said with Reynolds involved, they’re confident that there won’t be a problem.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Renovations Keep Rolling, Rolling, Rolling
From the BCCT.
Board takes steps for more renovations
By RACHEL CANELLI
When one renovation project ends, another makeover could begin.
The Neshaminy school board during a strategic action committee meeting Wednesday night gave administrators the nod to continue plans for possibly renovating a portion of Neshaminy High School for the facilities and purchasing departments.
The Middletown high school is already more than halfway through a major construction project. The facilities department is currently housed at the district’s Eisenhower building and the purchasing department is still operating out of closed Neshaminy Middle School, said Superintendent Paul Kadri.
However, there is space at the high school, including a vacant gym and business and science classrooms, for both departments to join the existing transportation department, said business administrator Joseph Paradise.
Instead of demolishing that part of the high school structure, which would cost $150,000, officials proposed renovating the area for roughly $200,000.
Doing so could save fuel and vehicle maintenance for many employees who need to travel all over the district for repairs. The project could also free up both Eisenhower and Neshaminy Middle for rental, administrators said.
The updates, which could be completed by district employees who are tradesmen, could not begin until the high school plans are almost finished by July or August 2009. And the renovations would take time, Paradise said.
Board member Ritchie Webb said the concept theoretically sounded good, but he was concerned about the cost and how soon the district would see any savings.
Board member Frank Koziol, though, said “it makes a lot of sense to me. I think we should consider to go ahead and do it.”
While board President Rick Eccles expressed concerned at the cost of having to convert the warehouse at Eisenhower for a tenant, facilities representatives responded that the district could rent the edifice at a cheaper rate and require renters to make any necessary upgrades.
Board takes steps for more renovations
By RACHEL CANELLI
When one renovation project ends, another makeover could begin.
The Neshaminy school board during a strategic action committee meeting Wednesday night gave administrators the nod to continue plans for possibly renovating a portion of Neshaminy High School for the facilities and purchasing departments.
The Middletown high school is already more than halfway through a major construction project. The facilities department is currently housed at the district’s Eisenhower building and the purchasing department is still operating out of closed Neshaminy Middle School, said Superintendent Paul Kadri.
However, there is space at the high school, including a vacant gym and business and science classrooms, for both departments to join the existing transportation department, said business administrator Joseph Paradise.
Instead of demolishing that part of the high school structure, which would cost $150,000, officials proposed renovating the area for roughly $200,000.
Doing so could save fuel and vehicle maintenance for many employees who need to travel all over the district for repairs. The project could also free up both Eisenhower and Neshaminy Middle for rental, administrators said.
The updates, which could be completed by district employees who are tradesmen, could not begin until the high school plans are almost finished by July or August 2009. And the renovations would take time, Paradise said.
Board member Ritchie Webb said the concept theoretically sounded good, but he was concerned about the cost and how soon the district would see any savings.
Board member Frank Koziol, though, said “it makes a lot of sense to me. I think we should consider to go ahead and do it.”
While board President Rick Eccles expressed concerned at the cost of having to convert the warehouse at Eisenhower for a tenant, facilities representatives responded that the district could rent the edifice at a cheaper rate and require renters to make any necessary upgrades.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
District parting with green to go green
From the BCCT.
District parting with green to go green
By CHRISTINA KRISTOFIC
Central Bucks School District saved more than $70,000 in utilities by having a four-day workweek over the summer.
And district officials hope that they will continue to save on utilities by implementing a new $19.8 million energy initiative, which includes the installation of equipment and software — computerized boiler controls, occupancy sensors for lighting, occupancy sensors for the heating and air-conditioning systems, and machines that shut off the vending machines at night — in all of the district’s 26 buildings.
The district will also improve insulation in many of its buildings, install solar-powered heaters at the pools at Central Bucks East and South high schools, and replace the lighting in some of its buildings.
District officials estimate that the initiative will save more than $18 million in utility costs in the first 20 years, after initiative-related expenses have been paid.
The initiative was approved unanimously by the school board last week.
“It’s so refreshing when we can put money and time and energy into something like this, that’s actually going to have such a great payback,” board President Geryl McMullin said.
“We’re trying desperately to become more green in the school district.”
McMullin said she’d like to take the money the district saves from the energy initiative and invest it into other environmentally friendly initiatives.
“We’ve got a lot of buildings. We use a lot of electricity and we use a lot of fuel. And we need to do our best to do our part,” she said.
District officials decided in June to close 21 of the district’s 26 buildings on Fridays for seven weeks over the summer. Superintendent N. Robert Laws estimated at the time that the four-day workweek would save the district about $53,000 in utility costs.
The actual savings turned out to be $71,554, operations director Scott Kennedy reported last week.
Johnson Controls Inc., an international company with headquarters in Milwaukee, Wis., is working with Central Bucks to install the new equipment and software over the next 14 months. The equipment and software will be installed in phases, and Johnson Controls and district staff are currently working on the schedule, Kennedy said.
The project will cost the school district $14.8 million up front; the district is making a down payment of $7.5 million and financing the remaining $7.3 million over 15 years at a rate of 4 percent. District officials estimate that — with loan interest, software licensing fees and training costs — the project will ultimately cost $19.8 million over 20 years.
Johnson Controls has guaranteed that the district will begin to see savings in utility costs after the equipment and software are installed.
District officials expect to see total savings over 20 years of $38.8 million.
After it has paid the $19.8 million in expenses, the district expects to have a total utility savings of more than $18.9 million.
Johnson Controls will also provide the school with educational materials — to be used in the classroom — about energy efficiency.
District parting with green to go green
By CHRISTINA KRISTOFIC
Central Bucks School District saved more than $70,000 in utilities by having a four-day workweek over the summer.
And district officials hope that they will continue to save on utilities by implementing a new $19.8 million energy initiative, which includes the installation of equipment and software — computerized boiler controls, occupancy sensors for lighting, occupancy sensors for the heating and air-conditioning systems, and machines that shut off the vending machines at night — in all of the district’s 26 buildings.
The district will also improve insulation in many of its buildings, install solar-powered heaters at the pools at Central Bucks East and South high schools, and replace the lighting in some of its buildings.
District officials estimate that the initiative will save more than $18 million in utility costs in the first 20 years, after initiative-related expenses have been paid.
The initiative was approved unanimously by the school board last week.
“It’s so refreshing when we can put money and time and energy into something like this, that’s actually going to have such a great payback,” board President Geryl McMullin said.
“We’re trying desperately to become more green in the school district.”
McMullin said she’d like to take the money the district saves from the energy initiative and invest it into other environmentally friendly initiatives.
“We’ve got a lot of buildings. We use a lot of electricity and we use a lot of fuel. And we need to do our best to do our part,” she said.
District officials decided in June to close 21 of the district’s 26 buildings on Fridays for seven weeks over the summer. Superintendent N. Robert Laws estimated at the time that the four-day workweek would save the district about $53,000 in utility costs.
The actual savings turned out to be $71,554, operations director Scott Kennedy reported last week.
Johnson Controls Inc., an international company with headquarters in Milwaukee, Wis., is working with Central Bucks to install the new equipment and software over the next 14 months. The equipment and software will be installed in phases, and Johnson Controls and district staff are currently working on the schedule, Kennedy said.
The project will cost the school district $14.8 million up front; the district is making a down payment of $7.5 million and financing the remaining $7.3 million over 15 years at a rate of 4 percent. District officials estimate that — with loan interest, software licensing fees and training costs — the project will ultimately cost $19.8 million over 20 years.
Johnson Controls has guaranteed that the district will begin to see savings in utility costs after the equipment and software are installed.
District officials expect to see total savings over 20 years of $38.8 million.
After it has paid the $19.8 million in expenses, the district expects to have a total utility savings of more than $18.9 million.
Johnson Controls will also provide the school with educational materials — to be used in the classroom — about energy efficiency.
Friday, September 26, 2008
New school nearing completion
From the BCCT. Congrats to the Bristol School District.
New school nearing completion
Bristol’s new school is roughly 70 percent complete, according to the architect who designed the facility.
“We’re making very good progress with all of our prime [contractors],” said Michael Minton, a VITETTA architect, during the district’s school board meeting Thursday night.
The estimated $33.2 million school will house Bristol’s prekindergarten through eighth grade classes. It will be able to accommodate up to 1,100 students.
The building is located off Buckley Street adjacent to the current Warren Snyder-John Girotti Elementary School.
It originally was supposed to be completed in time for the beginning of the current school year, but was delayed for four months early on in the project while urban fill was removed from the site.
The building likely will be completed in early 2009, school district officials said.
New school nearing completion
Bristol’s new school is roughly 70 percent complete, according to the architect who designed the facility.
“We’re making very good progress with all of our prime [contractors],” said Michael Minton, a VITETTA architect, during the district’s school board meeting Thursday night.
The estimated $33.2 million school will house Bristol’s prekindergarten through eighth grade classes. It will be able to accommodate up to 1,100 students.
The building is located off Buckley Street adjacent to the current Warren Snyder-John Girotti Elementary School.
It originally was supposed to be completed in time for the beginning of the current school year, but was delayed for four months early on in the project while urban fill was removed from the site.
The building likely will be completed in early 2009, school district officials said.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Modular Rooms for Pennsbury
From the BCCT.
Supervisors approve modular classrooms
But one supervisor accused the Pennsbury School District of “crazy spending” and said they were unnecessary.
By CHRISTIAN MENNO
The Pennsbury School District hopes to have two modular classrooms for art and music classes up and running at Fallsington Elementary by mid-October.
The Falls supervisors last week approved, by a 3-2 vote, a land development waiver to install the structures, which will be transported from Oxford Valley Elementary.
Supervisors Robert Harvie, James Prokopiak and Jonathan Snipes voted in favor. Dorothy Vislosky and Phillip Szupka voted no.
The school district’s director of physical plant and facilities, Tom Gillette, said the installation would cost about $507,000. He called the modular classrooms a more cost-effective measure than a permanent addition to the school’s main building, which, he said, would cost upward of $1.5 million.
A covered walkway will connect the main building to the modular classrooms to protect students from the elements, Gillette added.
Though the modulars were used by Oxford Valley for 19 years, Gillette said their solid wood construction makes them as sturdy and durable as a house.
“I’d expect them to last a long, long time,” he said at the Aug. 19 Falls meeting.
Vislosky disputed the necessity of the modulars and chided the school board for what she called its “crazy spending.”
“I think the $500,000 price tag is insanity,” Vislosky said Monday. “The school administration and the school board better learn the difference between need and want. This is taxpayers’ money.”
On Monday, Gillette described the modulars’ cost as “barebones,” and said the extra space will allow for a “muchneeded” computer lab to be built in the school’s main building.
School board member Linda Palsky defended the project.
“We have people running classes in small cubby holes and sometimes doubling up,” she said Monday. “These classrooms will allow Fallsington to service its students in the proper way. This is not something we just came up with. This was part of a long-range plan to utilize our assets. I understand the concerns, but these modulars are absolutely necessary.”
Palsky, a member of the facilities committee, said the price was well within the normal range for such a job.
Prokopiak said he understands some taxpayers might oppose such additions, but the school district was well within its rights to develop its own land.
“As long as the project adheres to our ordinances and does not interfere with the health, safety and wellness of our residents, then it should be approved,” he said Monday. “If there were issues with, say, storm water management, then that would be different.
“The school district is telling us they need the space due to overcrowding and that this is the most cost-effective way to go about it. As long as they’ve met all the criteria, I felt I had to approve it.”
Supervisors approve modular classrooms
But one supervisor accused the Pennsbury School District of “crazy spending” and said they were unnecessary.
By CHRISTIAN MENNO
The Pennsbury School District hopes to have two modular classrooms for art and music classes up and running at Fallsington Elementary by mid-October.
The Falls supervisors last week approved, by a 3-2 vote, a land development waiver to install the structures, which will be transported from Oxford Valley Elementary.
Supervisors Robert Harvie, James Prokopiak and Jonathan Snipes voted in favor. Dorothy Vislosky and Phillip Szupka voted no.
The school district’s director of physical plant and facilities, Tom Gillette, said the installation would cost about $507,000. He called the modular classrooms a more cost-effective measure than a permanent addition to the school’s main building, which, he said, would cost upward of $1.5 million.
A covered walkway will connect the main building to the modular classrooms to protect students from the elements, Gillette added.
Though the modulars were used by Oxford Valley for 19 years, Gillette said their solid wood construction makes them as sturdy and durable as a house.
“I’d expect them to last a long, long time,” he said at the Aug. 19 Falls meeting.
Vislosky disputed the necessity of the modulars and chided the school board for what she called its “crazy spending.”
“I think the $500,000 price tag is insanity,” Vislosky said Monday. “The school administration and the school board better learn the difference between need and want. This is taxpayers’ money.”
On Monday, Gillette described the modulars’ cost as “barebones,” and said the extra space will allow for a “muchneeded” computer lab to be built in the school’s main building.
School board member Linda Palsky defended the project.
“We have people running classes in small cubby holes and sometimes doubling up,” she said Monday. “These classrooms will allow Fallsington to service its students in the proper way. This is not something we just came up with. This was part of a long-range plan to utilize our assets. I understand the concerns, but these modulars are absolutely necessary.”
Palsky, a member of the facilities committee, said the price was well within the normal range for such a job.
Prokopiak said he understands some taxpayers might oppose such additions, but the school district was well within its rights to develop its own land.
“As long as the project adheres to our ordinances and does not interfere with the health, safety and wellness of our residents, then it should be approved,” he said Monday. “If there were issues with, say, storm water management, then that would be different.
“The school district is telling us they need the space due to overcrowding and that this is the most cost-effective way to go about it. As long as they’ve met all the criteria, I felt I had to approve it.”
Friday, August 8, 2008
This is no way to build a school
From the Curwinsville, Clearfield County Progress.
Can you imagine any responsible school district waiting for 30 or 40 years before doing repairs? Not only that, they're taking their time to think about a plan, seek state reimbursement, and, even exploring a geo-thermal energy system.
Where's the safe, sober, and responsible stop the school people here to whip up some civic frenzy and needlessly split the town? They're doing it wrong in Curwinsville.
Let's take donations for a road trip so the Emperor, Angry Al, and the rest of the stop the school professionals can take their act on the road and show Curwinsville how to destroy a town and its school system.
Price tag for Curwensville school fixes more than $20 million
Thursday, August 07, 2008
By Dianne Byers Staff Writer
CURWENSVILLE - The age and condition of the components of school buildings was the focus of Curwensville Area School Board as members met for a buildings and grounds committee meeting last night.
Curwensville Area High School and Penn Grampian Elementary School were constructed in 1955, the lower level of Curwensville Area Elementary School was built in 1962 and the upper level in 1972. All the buildings are showing their maturity, especially the high school and Penn-Grampian. In January, the board authorized contracting with Robert T. Scheeren A.I.A., Indiana, to assess the school complex and Penn-Grampian related to an overhaul of the structures and the possibility of additions to the Curwensville buildings to allow them to be brought up to state codes.
Last night, the board had an opportunity to review details of the report, which contains three options for renovations. Norman Hatten, superintendent of schools, said the report analyzed the needs of the school district and provided information to "allow the board to determine what direction to go, if any."
He stressed that the information presented last night is "extremely preliminary." "We are very early in this process and we are trying to make sense of all this," he noted.
He told the board, "There are a considerable amount of things that need to be done. The roofs, windows, doors, steam pipes, plumbing, electricity need to be replaced to allow the building to function properly for the next 20 years. ... This is a conservative project - mainly infrastructure. These things need to be done to keep the building from failing and keep the school operating," he explained.
Mentioned several times last night was the age and state of the roof on the high school building. In January a representative from the architectural firm, during his proposal, presented a section of the steam pipe heating system that was marked with numerous rusted holes.
If the board were to do everything listed in the initial proposal of work to modernize the three buildings and bring them into compliance with state codes it would be spending approximately $21 million to $23 million. The board tentatively examined the possibility of making some cuts to the project and whittling down the price but noted most of what the project contains is necessary to the safe and functional operation of the building.
One of the options noted in the report is to close the Penn-Grampian Elementary School and build additions to the Curwensville Area Elementary School.
Paul Carr, business manager, presented a number of financial details to the board including the repayment of its current bond issues, millage options under Act 1 and possible reimbursement from the state for the building project.
The board made no decisions last night. Members said they would be looking at the report to determine whether they have additional questions for the architect and would revisit the matter at a future meeting, possibly the Aug. 14 work session.
Several members asked about a timeline for the project. Mr. Hatten said the first step is to determine the extent of the project to be done then the details, including a schedule and financing, could be determined.
Other board members said they would like information on a geo-thermal system to be presented as a possible addition to the project, saying they believe it would be a cost effective method for heating and cooling the buildings.
Ken Veihdeffer, board president, said members would need to make a decision soon on what they want to do. "The longer we wait (the more expensive the project will be). Prices are not going to go down," he said.
Can you imagine any responsible school district waiting for 30 or 40 years before doing repairs? Not only that, they're taking their time to think about a plan, seek state reimbursement, and, even exploring a geo-thermal energy system.
Where's the safe, sober, and responsible stop the school people here to whip up some civic frenzy and needlessly split the town? They're doing it wrong in Curwinsville.
Let's take donations for a road trip so the Emperor, Angry Al, and the rest of the stop the school professionals can take their act on the road and show Curwinsville how to destroy a town and its school system.
Price tag for Curwensville school fixes more than $20 million
Thursday, August 07, 2008
By Dianne Byers Staff Writer
CURWENSVILLE - The age and condition of the components of school buildings was the focus of Curwensville Area School Board as members met for a buildings and grounds committee meeting last night.
Curwensville Area High School and Penn Grampian Elementary School were constructed in 1955, the lower level of Curwensville Area Elementary School was built in 1962 and the upper level in 1972. All the buildings are showing their maturity, especially the high school and Penn-Grampian. In January, the board authorized contracting with Robert T. Scheeren A.I.A., Indiana, to assess the school complex and Penn-Grampian related to an overhaul of the structures and the possibility of additions to the Curwensville buildings to allow them to be brought up to state codes.
Last night, the board had an opportunity to review details of the report, which contains three options for renovations. Norman Hatten, superintendent of schools, said the report analyzed the needs of the school district and provided information to "allow the board to determine what direction to go, if any."
He stressed that the information presented last night is "extremely preliminary." "We are very early in this process and we are trying to make sense of all this," he noted.
He told the board, "There are a considerable amount of things that need to be done. The roofs, windows, doors, steam pipes, plumbing, electricity need to be replaced to allow the building to function properly for the next 20 years. ... This is a conservative project - mainly infrastructure. These things need to be done to keep the building from failing and keep the school operating," he explained.
Mentioned several times last night was the age and state of the roof on the high school building. In January a representative from the architectural firm, during his proposal, presented a section of the steam pipe heating system that was marked with numerous rusted holes.
If the board were to do everything listed in the initial proposal of work to modernize the three buildings and bring them into compliance with state codes it would be spending approximately $21 million to $23 million. The board tentatively examined the possibility of making some cuts to the project and whittling down the price but noted most of what the project contains is necessary to the safe and functional operation of the building.
One of the options noted in the report is to close the Penn-Grampian Elementary School and build additions to the Curwensville Area Elementary School.
Paul Carr, business manager, presented a number of financial details to the board including the repayment of its current bond issues, millage options under Act 1 and possible reimbursement from the state for the building project.
The board made no decisions last night. Members said they would be looking at the report to determine whether they have additional questions for the architect and would revisit the matter at a future meeting, possibly the Aug. 14 work session.
Several members asked about a timeline for the project. Mr. Hatten said the first step is to determine the extent of the project to be done then the details, including a schedule and financing, could be determined.
Other board members said they would like information on a geo-thermal system to be presented as a possible addition to the project, saying they believe it would be a cost effective method for heating and cooling the buildings.
Ken Veihdeffer, board president, said members would need to make a decision soon on what they want to do. "The longer we wait (the more expensive the project will be). Prices are not going to go down," he said.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Project increases $7M in two months
What a novel idea: A plan! "We need to think before we start cutting this and cutting that...If you look at it closely, 1,000 square feet is a classroom and that's $250,000. We're not getting back a lot of money by cutting out space and look at what we would be cutting. You got to look at this in the long term."
Allan Schappert, school board president, warned the board not to focus on the project by building to cost. He said keeping the educational needs and requirements in mind also is important.
"How much can we shave off before we're making significant impacts in our ability to deliver education to our children?"
Published July 23, 2008 12:15 am - With rising construction costs and the inclusion of more space, the price tag for Danville's elementary school renovation project has risen $7 million in two months.
Project increases $7M in two months
School board must refine plans
By Jaime North
The Daily Item
DANVILLE -- With rising construction costs and the inclusion of more space, the price tag for Danville's elementary school renovation project has risen $7 million in two months.
The plan to upgrade the Danville, Mahoning-Cooper and Riverside elementary schools will now cost an estimated $47 million after the architect, L. Robert Kimball Associates, recently incorporated the building principals' requests for educational needs and made adjustments for the increasing costs of construction, according to Richard Snodgrass, the district's business administrator.
"We need to get a refinement of what the board wants as a scope of work for these schools," Snodgrass told the school board Tuesday night. "The architect is kind of at a standstill."
In May, the district received an estimate of $40 million to renovate and make additions to the three neighborhood schools, totaling 167,000 square feet. Among the added features were multipurpose rooms, music and art rooms and storage space at each school.
Adding in the principals' list of needs, such as computer labs, the project grew to 176,000 square feet.
It's the extra square feet that needs to be addressed next by the school board, Snodgrass said.
"Obviously, the costs of this project are driven by the square footage," he said. "In order to get the costs down, we need to cut square footage out of the project."
Kellie Krum, a school board member, suggested the board set a limit on the square footage and have the architect work with the elementary principals to determine what needs to be cut or adjusted to reduce the size of the project. Krum was shocked at the size of the overall project, specifically the projected growth at Mahoning-Cooper, which is designed to double in size from 24,000 square feet to more than 60,000 square feet.
"If you could've seen what we were dealing with when we first started talking about this project three years ago to what I see now, it's unbelievable," she said. "The amount of square footage that has grown is incredulous. Somehow, we've been able to limp along with 23,000 square feet at Riverside and 24,000 square feet at Mahoning-Cooper and still been able to educate children."
Simply cutting out space is not the answer, according to Steve Schooley, another board member.
"We need to think before we start cutting this and cutting that," he said. "If you look at it closely, 1,000 square feet is a classroom and that's $250,000. We're not getting back a lot of money by cutting out space and look at what we would be cutting. You got to look at this in the long term."
Allan Schappert, school board president, warned the board not to focus on the project by building to cost. He said keeping the educational needs and requirements in mind also is important.
"How much can we shave off before we're making significant impacts in our ability to deliver education to our children?" Schappert said.
"You've grown significantly in square footage, because you're educating kids in inappropriate spaces," Snodgrass said. "Time is passing, and like I've said, time is money."
Allan Schappert, school board president, warned the board not to focus on the project by building to cost. He said keeping the educational needs and requirements in mind also is important.
"How much can we shave off before we're making significant impacts in our ability to deliver education to our children?"
Published July 23, 2008 12:15 am - With rising construction costs and the inclusion of more space, the price tag for Danville's elementary school renovation project has risen $7 million in two months.
Project increases $7M in two months
School board must refine plans
By Jaime North
The Daily Item
DANVILLE -- With rising construction costs and the inclusion of more space, the price tag for Danville's elementary school renovation project has risen $7 million in two months.
The plan to upgrade the Danville, Mahoning-Cooper and Riverside elementary schools will now cost an estimated $47 million after the architect, L. Robert Kimball Associates, recently incorporated the building principals' requests for educational needs and made adjustments for the increasing costs of construction, according to Richard Snodgrass, the district's business administrator.
"We need to get a refinement of what the board wants as a scope of work for these schools," Snodgrass told the school board Tuesday night. "The architect is kind of at a standstill."
In May, the district received an estimate of $40 million to renovate and make additions to the three neighborhood schools, totaling 167,000 square feet. Among the added features were multipurpose rooms, music and art rooms and storage space at each school.
Adding in the principals' list of needs, such as computer labs, the project grew to 176,000 square feet.
It's the extra square feet that needs to be addressed next by the school board, Snodgrass said.
"Obviously, the costs of this project are driven by the square footage," he said. "In order to get the costs down, we need to cut square footage out of the project."
Kellie Krum, a school board member, suggested the board set a limit on the square footage and have the architect work with the elementary principals to determine what needs to be cut or adjusted to reduce the size of the project. Krum was shocked at the size of the overall project, specifically the projected growth at Mahoning-Cooper, which is designed to double in size from 24,000 square feet to more than 60,000 square feet.
"If you could've seen what we were dealing with when we first started talking about this project three years ago to what I see now, it's unbelievable," she said. "The amount of square footage that has grown is incredulous. Somehow, we've been able to limp along with 23,000 square feet at Riverside and 24,000 square feet at Mahoning-Cooper and still been able to educate children."
Simply cutting out space is not the answer, according to Steve Schooley, another board member.
"We need to think before we start cutting this and cutting that," he said. "If you look at it closely, 1,000 square feet is a classroom and that's $250,000. We're not getting back a lot of money by cutting out space and look at what we would be cutting. You got to look at this in the long term."
Allan Schappert, school board president, warned the board not to focus on the project by building to cost. He said keeping the educational needs and requirements in mind also is important.
"How much can we shave off before we're making significant impacts in our ability to deliver education to our children?" Schappert said.
"You've grown significantly in square footage, because you're educating kids in inappropriate spaces," Snodgrass said. "Time is passing, and like I've said, time is money."
Monday, July 28, 2008
Green Building Standards
From the BCCT. " 'Builders are finding that a green-certified building is no more expensive than a conventional one as long as it starts from the beginning with design,' Bray said. 'Retrofitting a building to be green can be expensive. Also, down the road, maintenance on these [green] buildings is considerably less expensive and that is where the economic benefits really start coming into play.' ”
Plan would encourage green building standards
By CHRIS ENGLISH
Bucks County Courier Times
LOWER MAKEFIELD -- Next on the list of environmental initiatives in Lower Makefield is a set of green building standards for new construction or renovations on township-owned properties.
Supervisors Chairman Greg Caiola said the Environmental Advisory Council has submitted a rough draft of the standards to the supervisors and solicitor David Truelove. The draft is being reviewed and could be voted on next month or in September, Caiola said.
Sometime before the end of the year, the board hopes to enact a green building ordinance covering new development and renovations, both commercial and residential, on private properties, he said.
“We started with the township itself because we wanted to be setting the example and doing as we say,” said Caiola. “We wanted to be sure we took the lead on the township level before we asked anyone else to do it.”
Building green means using construction techniques and materials designed to protect the environment. They include everything from using renewable energy sources like the sun and wind instead of gas and oil to utilizing non-wood building materials to cut down on tree depletion.
Township officials said they aren't sure if the ordinance governing private development will have strict requirements or just incentives — similar to those adopted in Doylestown — designed to encourage green building but not demand it. Strict requirements might contradict the uniform building code and thus be illegal, said Jim Bray, chairman of the township EAC.
However, green standards for township-owned properties can be strict and the draft guidelines reflect that, Bray said. They require that new construction or renovations on township-owned properties conform to standards of the U.S. Green Building Council, he said.
That includes things like building in a way to take maximum advantage of natural light, recycling waste building materials and using high-efficiency heating and cooling systems.
Some in Lower Makefield already have taken the initiative on their own. An office building on Township Line Road constructed by Liberty Property Trust was built to green standards, and a planned renovation by the Pennsbury School District of its Makefield Elementary School will have many green features.
“Builders are finding that a green-certified building is no more expensive than a conventional one as long as it starts from the beginning with design,” Bray said. “Retrofitting a building to be green can be expensive. Also, down the road, maintenance on these [green] buildings is considerably less expensive and that is where the economic benefits really start coming into play.”
Bray said the township's green building initiatives are being led by EAC member Rick Ewing. The newspaper was unsuccessful in its attempts to reach him for comment.
In Doylestown, a green building incentive system put together by planning director and assistant borough manager Phil Ehlinger can save developers up to 50 percent on their building permit fees.
Points are awarded up to a maximum of 50 for each green building feature. Each point means a 1 percent reduction in the building permit fee, he said. For example, one point is awarded for something as simple as including a clothes line in the plan for a residential project, Ehlinger said. That saves dryer time and thus electricity, he explained.
Plan would encourage green building standards
By CHRIS ENGLISH
Bucks County Courier Times
LOWER MAKEFIELD -- Next on the list of environmental initiatives in Lower Makefield is a set of green building standards for new construction or renovations on township-owned properties.
Supervisors Chairman Greg Caiola said the Environmental Advisory Council has submitted a rough draft of the standards to the supervisors and solicitor David Truelove. The draft is being reviewed and could be voted on next month or in September, Caiola said.
Sometime before the end of the year, the board hopes to enact a green building ordinance covering new development and renovations, both commercial and residential, on private properties, he said.
“We started with the township itself because we wanted to be setting the example and doing as we say,” said Caiola. “We wanted to be sure we took the lead on the township level before we asked anyone else to do it.”
Building green means using construction techniques and materials designed to protect the environment. They include everything from using renewable energy sources like the sun and wind instead of gas and oil to utilizing non-wood building materials to cut down on tree depletion.
Township officials said they aren't sure if the ordinance governing private development will have strict requirements or just incentives — similar to those adopted in Doylestown — designed to encourage green building but not demand it. Strict requirements might contradict the uniform building code and thus be illegal, said Jim Bray, chairman of the township EAC.
However, green standards for township-owned properties can be strict and the draft guidelines reflect that, Bray said. They require that new construction or renovations on township-owned properties conform to standards of the U.S. Green Building Council, he said.
That includes things like building in a way to take maximum advantage of natural light, recycling waste building materials and using high-efficiency heating and cooling systems.
Some in Lower Makefield already have taken the initiative on their own. An office building on Township Line Road constructed by Liberty Property Trust was built to green standards, and a planned renovation by the Pennsbury School District of its Makefield Elementary School will have many green features.
“Builders are finding that a green-certified building is no more expensive than a conventional one as long as it starts from the beginning with design,” Bray said. “Retrofitting a building to be green can be expensive. Also, down the road, maintenance on these [green] buildings is considerably less expensive and that is where the economic benefits really start coming into play.”
Bray said the township's green building initiatives are being led by EAC member Rick Ewing. The newspaper was unsuccessful in its attempts to reach him for comment.
In Doylestown, a green building incentive system put together by planning director and assistant borough manager Phil Ehlinger can save developers up to 50 percent on their building permit fees.
Points are awarded up to a maximum of 50 for each green building feature. Each point means a 1 percent reduction in the building permit fee, he said. For example, one point is awarded for something as simple as including a clothes line in the plan for a residential project, Ehlinger said. That saves dryer time and thus electricity, he explained.
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Bensalem Board and Council Work Together
It may have taken two years to negotiations, but it's nice to see that a borough council and a school board from the same town can work together.
Deal will help district save money
The agreement involves fee waivers and drainage easements.
By JOAN HELLYER
The Bensalem School District will save “hundreds of thousands of dollars” from a deal recently reached between the school system and Bensalem’s municipal government, the school board solicitor said.
The township has agreed to help the district save money by waiving permit and application fees and other charges in connection with pending renovation and construction projects, solicitor Thomas Profy III said.
The projects include renovations at Cecelia Snyder Middle School off Hulmeville Road and the transportation center off Byberry Road and the planned construction of a physical education facility behind Bensalem High School, he said.
In exchange, the school district granted some easements at no cost to the township in connection with a road improvement project along Galloway Road, Profy said. The easements allowed the municipality to install drainage systems along the roadway where it borders district property, as required by the state, he said.
The one easement involves almost 100,000 square-feet of land at Galloway and Hulmeville roads at the southwest corner of the high school’s property, the solicitor said. The other involves about 7,000 square- feet of a 4.2-acre piece of undeveloped district property at Galloway and Richlieu roads, he said.
Profy said he started working on the deal with township solicitor Barbara Kirk in early 2007. They recently came to terms.
The Courier Times was unsuccessful in reaching Kirk for comment, after calls to her office at Rudolph, Pizzo and Clarke in Bensalem. District officials referred questions about specific amounts that would be saved to director of business administration Jack Myers, who could not be reached this week for comment.
The Bensalem school board approved the deal in June, and efforts are under way to finalize the agreement with township officials, the school board solicitor said.
Also as part of the agreement, the township officially transferred ownership of Samuel K. Faust Elementary School to the district. A township authority, which has since been dissolved, built the school in the mid-1950s, Profy said. The township held onto the property’s title until the district finished paying the loans that were taken out to cover its construction and various expansions, he said.
Deal will help district save money
The agreement involves fee waivers and drainage easements.
By JOAN HELLYER
The Bensalem School District will save “hundreds of thousands of dollars” from a deal recently reached between the school system and Bensalem’s municipal government, the school board solicitor said.
The township has agreed to help the district save money by waiving permit and application fees and other charges in connection with pending renovation and construction projects, solicitor Thomas Profy III said.
The projects include renovations at Cecelia Snyder Middle School off Hulmeville Road and the transportation center off Byberry Road and the planned construction of a physical education facility behind Bensalem High School, he said.
In exchange, the school district granted some easements at no cost to the township in connection with a road improvement project along Galloway Road, Profy said. The easements allowed the municipality to install drainage systems along the roadway where it borders district property, as required by the state, he said.
The one easement involves almost 100,000 square-feet of land at Galloway and Hulmeville roads at the southwest corner of the high school’s property, the solicitor said. The other involves about 7,000 square- feet of a 4.2-acre piece of undeveloped district property at Galloway and Richlieu roads, he said.
Profy said he started working on the deal with township solicitor Barbara Kirk in early 2007. They recently came to terms.
The Courier Times was unsuccessful in reaching Kirk for comment, after calls to her office at Rudolph, Pizzo and Clarke in Bensalem. District officials referred questions about specific amounts that would be saved to director of business administration Jack Myers, who could not be reached this week for comment.
The Bensalem school board approved the deal in June, and efforts are under way to finalize the agreement with township officials, the school board solicitor said.
Also as part of the agreement, the township officially transferred ownership of Samuel K. Faust Elementary School to the district. A township authority, which has since been dissolved, built the school in the mid-1950s, Profy said. The township held onto the property’s title until the district finished paying the loans that were taken out to cover its construction and various expansions, he said.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Council Rock Renovations
In Council Rock, the untouched 40 year old school buildings will each need $10 to $12 million dollars for renovations. What will it cost here in Morrisville?
Crews remove asbestos tiles from schools
Next year, renovations at each school will begin to update the more than 40-year-old buildings.
By RACHEL CANELLI
Churchville and Holland elementary schools aren’t just closed for the summer — they’re sealed.
Work is under way at both buildings in Northampton to remove asbestos tile flooring in the classrooms to prepare for future renovations, according to Superintendent Mark Klein.
Together, the abatement projects, which cost less than $300,000, are the first part of a two- to three-year renovation process at each school, officials said.
Since serious illness can be caused by inhaling asbestos, which is a group of minerals with long, thin, fibrous crystals, both schools have been closed up, and their offices have been temporarily relocated to modular structures, administrators said.
Klein emphasized that neither school has asbestos problems and that the shutdowns are precautions.
“The tiles served each school well, but they need to be taken off by a professional contractor,” he said.
After this month’s construction, desks and chairs will be returned to the classrooms, where floors will be covered by area rugs, officials said.
The renovations are expected to begin next summer. Each of the two projects is estimated to cost between $10 million to $12 million, but those numbers could change depending on yet-to-be-determined design details and bids, administrators said.
At the very least, Churchville and Holland should receive new heating and air-conditioning systems, refurbished classrooms, updated libraries and new computers, officials said.
“Both schools need significant work because they haven’t been touched in the 40 years they’ve been in service,” Klein said. “This should add another 25 to 30 years to their life cycle.”
Crews remove asbestos tiles from schools
Next year, renovations at each school will begin to update the more than 40-year-old buildings.
By RACHEL CANELLI
Churchville and Holland elementary schools aren’t just closed for the summer — they’re sealed.
Work is under way at both buildings in Northampton to remove asbestos tile flooring in the classrooms to prepare for future renovations, according to Superintendent Mark Klein.
Together, the abatement projects, which cost less than $300,000, are the first part of a two- to three-year renovation process at each school, officials said.
Since serious illness can be caused by inhaling asbestos, which is a group of minerals with long, thin, fibrous crystals, both schools have been closed up, and their offices have been temporarily relocated to modular structures, administrators said.
Klein emphasized that neither school has asbestos problems and that the shutdowns are precautions.
“The tiles served each school well, but they need to be taken off by a professional contractor,” he said.
After this month’s construction, desks and chairs will be returned to the classrooms, where floors will be covered by area rugs, officials said.
The renovations are expected to begin next summer. Each of the two projects is estimated to cost between $10 million to $12 million, but those numbers could change depending on yet-to-be-determined design details and bids, administrators said.
At the very least, Churchville and Holland should receive new heating and air-conditioning systems, refurbished classrooms, updated libraries and new computers, officials said.
“Both schools need significant work because they haven’t been touched in the 40 years they’ve been in service,” Klein said. “This should add another 25 to 30 years to their life cycle.”
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Progress at Neshaminy High
It looks like the Neshaminy construction is moving right along.
Maybe we can strike a deal for some of those modular classrooms. We can pile them in the parking lots to replace the schools.
Progress being made at Neshaminy High School
A new science wing and a small theater room are scheduled to be done by the winter, officials said.
By RACHEL CANELLI
STAFF WRITER
Neshaminy High School finally has a front—in the back.
Two-thirds of the way into a major construction and renovation project, crews recently installed a silver name plate to the main student entrance of the Middletown high school located at the back of the building.
“We’ve never had that before,” business administrator Joseph Paradise said as he gave the newspaper an exclusive tour of the site Tuesday morning. “It’s rewarding to see the change.”
In the winter, the district celebrated some of those changes with an open house of a two-story classroom wing. A mirror image of the first classroom building is scheduled to open for students in the fall, officials said.
Besides new desks and flat screen televisions, students will sit at desks that face the front of the classroom but will have to turn around to use the computer. This way a teacher can always see what’s on the students’ screens, administrators said.
Meanwhile, workers are putting the finishing touches on two gyms, which were gutted, painted and given new floors, ceilings, lights and ventilation systems, Paradise said.
The 32 temporary modular classrooms that teachers and students used for the past two years are being dismantled. Across from that space, steel is in place for a brand new two-story science wing that should be equipped with new labs and updated tools by January, he said.
“Before, we fit what we needed into the space that we had,” Paradise said. “This is designed for our needs.”
Crews are also working on renovating the school’s circular-shaped library and replacing a small auditorium-like classroom with a similar setting.
Although there were many people who wanted the district to build a whole new school, the school board settled on 60 percent new space and the rest renovated, administrators said.
However, Paradise pointed out, that the 40 percent being updated looks brand new. But instead of being built from the ground up, it’s still on the old, but solid, foundation, said Paradise.
The project is adding more than 250,000 square feet to accommodate 2,800 students, including ninthgraders who will move there from the middle schools next year.
Also at that time, a hallway of classrooms will be demolished to make way for a road that will lead to the new student entrance. There students will use ID cards to enter, officials said.
The public will have other entrances near the new guidance area. That project should be completed by September, administrators said.
The whole $82 million project, which remains on time and on budget, is expected to be finished in September 2009. The district borrowed $77 million to fund it, Paradise said.
“[The construction] is an inconvenience, but it’s also exciting,” he said. “The board, administration, teachers, students and construction workers have come together [and cooperated] to make it work.”
Maybe we can strike a deal for some of those modular classrooms. We can pile them in the parking lots to replace the schools.
Progress being made at Neshaminy High School
A new science wing and a small theater room are scheduled to be done by the winter, officials said.
By RACHEL CANELLI
STAFF WRITER
Neshaminy High School finally has a front—in the back.
Two-thirds of the way into a major construction and renovation project, crews recently installed a silver name plate to the main student entrance of the Middletown high school located at the back of the building.
“We’ve never had that before,” business administrator Joseph Paradise said as he gave the newspaper an exclusive tour of the site Tuesday morning. “It’s rewarding to see the change.”
In the winter, the district celebrated some of those changes with an open house of a two-story classroom wing. A mirror image of the first classroom building is scheduled to open for students in the fall, officials said.
Besides new desks and flat screen televisions, students will sit at desks that face the front of the classroom but will have to turn around to use the computer. This way a teacher can always see what’s on the students’ screens, administrators said.
Meanwhile, workers are putting the finishing touches on two gyms, which were gutted, painted and given new floors, ceilings, lights and ventilation systems, Paradise said.
The 32 temporary modular classrooms that teachers and students used for the past two years are being dismantled. Across from that space, steel is in place for a brand new two-story science wing that should be equipped with new labs and updated tools by January, he said.
“Before, we fit what we needed into the space that we had,” Paradise said. “This is designed for our needs.”
Crews are also working on renovating the school’s circular-shaped library and replacing a small auditorium-like classroom with a similar setting.
Although there were many people who wanted the district to build a whole new school, the school board settled on 60 percent new space and the rest renovated, administrators said.
However, Paradise pointed out, that the 40 percent being updated looks brand new. But instead of being built from the ground up, it’s still on the old, but solid, foundation, said Paradise.
The project is adding more than 250,000 square feet to accommodate 2,800 students, including ninthgraders who will move there from the middle schools next year.
Also at that time, a hallway of classrooms will be demolished to make way for a road that will lead to the new student entrance. There students will use ID cards to enter, officials said.
The public will have other entrances near the new guidance area. That project should be completed by September, administrators said.
The whole $82 million project, which remains on time and on budget, is expected to be finished in September 2009. The district borrowed $77 million to fund it, Paradise said.
“[The construction] is an inconvenience, but it’s also exciting,” he said. “The board, administration, teachers, students and construction workers have come together [and cooperated] to make it work.”
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Pennsbury Renovations Keep on Rolling
While the headline gives you a chuckle as you focus on an unusual mental picture to start your morning,(think First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt with Stacy and Clinton on What Not To Wear) this morning's BCCT story shows the real expense level connected with building maintenance.
Translation: It doesn't stop. The low to nonexistent level of expenditures Morrisville has earmarked for renovations and upgrades over the past 20-30 years means that the bill is coming due, well, just about...now. And the maître d' is anxious because the district's Visa card was just rejected for the third time.
Study to determine renovations needed for Eleanor Roosevelt
By MANASEE WAGH
Eleanor Roosevelt Elementary School in Falls will be getting a much-needed overhaul.
Architects are about to conduct a feasibility study on the 45-year-old Pennsbury school, which houses about 500 students.
“One of the biggest reasons is that the school is not air conditioned. We’re adding air conditioning in our schools and replacing old, inefficient heating systems,” said Gregory Lucidi, the school board president.
In the cases of some schools, the heating systems date back to the original construction, he added.
The district has been repairing buildings to eliminate problems with electrical systems, leaky roofs and inefficient windows that leak heat during cold seasons, said Lucidi. Replacing older windows with more efficient ones helps control fuel costs.
The lack of air conditioning in several buildings is particularly bothersome.
During a heat wave two weeks ago, when temperatures soared well into the 90s, children were sent home early from all three of the Pennsbury middle schools and three of its elementary schools. Most of the structures don’t have air conditioning.
The two high school buildings have air conditioning.
The next step for Eleanor Roosevelt involves finding out exactly what repairs need to be tackled. Based on the feasibility study, architects will present the district with an approximate list of repairs and an estimated cost.
The timeline from the feasibility study to complete renovations is still hazy, said Lucidi.
Usually the feasibility study and the board’s consideration of the architect’s specific findings take a few months, Lucidi said. Then the district starts the approval process with the school’s municipality. A district may need to get approval for zoning variances, for example.
It also has to plow through a process for state approvals.
Once all approvals are obtained, the board starts the process of going out to bid on the specific renovation requirements.
“Schools are kind of unique. They’re occupied, so renovations have to work around students,” said Lucidi. Usually work starts directly after school lets out for the summer. Then, during the subsequent school year, architects and engineers do whatever work they can, and generally finish up in the next summer, he said.
That’s how it worked for Oxford Valley Elementary School, originally built in 1953.
Structural, plumbing, electrical, heating and air-conditioning renovations should be done by the end of summer.
In at least the past five years, Pennsbury has plunged into renovations on several of its schools, like Penn Valley, Manor and Walt Disney Elementary schools and Pennsbury High School West.
Planned renovations for 77-year-old Makefield Elementary are awaiting approval by Lower Makefield officials.
“The renovations will protect a lot of the original architectural treatments that are still intact, to preserve the historic integrity of the structure,” said district spokeswoman Ann Langtry.
Makefield Elementary and the Fallsington administration building, dating to 1917, are the two oldest structures in the school district, she said.
The district will likely scrutinize middle schools next, said Lucidi.
Translation: It doesn't stop. The low to nonexistent level of expenditures Morrisville has earmarked for renovations and upgrades over the past 20-30 years means that the bill is coming due, well, just about...now. And the maître d' is anxious because the district's Visa card was just rejected for the third time.
Study to determine renovations needed for Eleanor Roosevelt
By MANASEE WAGH
Eleanor Roosevelt Elementary School in Falls will be getting a much-needed overhaul.
Architects are about to conduct a feasibility study on the 45-year-old Pennsbury school, which houses about 500 students.
“One of the biggest reasons is that the school is not air conditioned. We’re adding air conditioning in our schools and replacing old, inefficient heating systems,” said Gregory Lucidi, the school board president.
In the cases of some schools, the heating systems date back to the original construction, he added.
The district has been repairing buildings to eliminate problems with electrical systems, leaky roofs and inefficient windows that leak heat during cold seasons, said Lucidi. Replacing older windows with more efficient ones helps control fuel costs.
The lack of air conditioning in several buildings is particularly bothersome.
During a heat wave two weeks ago, when temperatures soared well into the 90s, children were sent home early from all three of the Pennsbury middle schools and three of its elementary schools. Most of the structures don’t have air conditioning.
The two high school buildings have air conditioning.
The next step for Eleanor Roosevelt involves finding out exactly what repairs need to be tackled. Based on the feasibility study, architects will present the district with an approximate list of repairs and an estimated cost.
The timeline from the feasibility study to complete renovations is still hazy, said Lucidi.
Usually the feasibility study and the board’s consideration of the architect’s specific findings take a few months, Lucidi said. Then the district starts the approval process with the school’s municipality. A district may need to get approval for zoning variances, for example.
It also has to plow through a process for state approvals.
Once all approvals are obtained, the board starts the process of going out to bid on the specific renovation requirements.
“Schools are kind of unique. They’re occupied, so renovations have to work around students,” said Lucidi. Usually work starts directly after school lets out for the summer. Then, during the subsequent school year, architects and engineers do whatever work they can, and generally finish up in the next summer, he said.
That’s how it worked for Oxford Valley Elementary School, originally built in 1953.
Structural, plumbing, electrical, heating and air-conditioning renovations should be done by the end of summer.
In at least the past five years, Pennsbury has plunged into renovations on several of its schools, like Penn Valley, Manor and Walt Disney Elementary schools and Pennsbury High School West.
Planned renovations for 77-year-old Makefield Elementary are awaiting approval by Lower Makefield officials.
“The renovations will protect a lot of the original architectural treatments that are still intact, to preserve the historic integrity of the structure,” said district spokeswoman Ann Langtry.
Makefield Elementary and the Fallsington administration building, dating to 1917, are the two oldest structures in the school district, she said.
The district will likely scrutinize middle schools next, said Lucidi.
Friday, May 2, 2008
Shoes too small? Too bad.
Here's an article about a district that has rejected the SECOND citywide referendum to expand the school facilities. Note to the Emperor and friends: Imagine sending multiple referenda out to the people for repairs and they keep rejecting the expenditures. That's a safety issue too. Tell me what you'll do then. Who would you find to do the cursory repairs report then to cover your butt?
School district wrestles with expansion
By Will Hobson
For The Inquirer
Administrators and school board members in the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District are again asking "What's next?" after another failed referendum proposal.
Voters last week rejected the district's proposal to borrow $30 million to pay for a renovation and expansion of Unionville High School. This was the second try for the district, as voters rejected a proposal in November to borrow $62.5 million for the high school project.
In response to the second failed referendum proposal, the district and the school board called a facilities committee meeting of the whole for Monday night, gathering the entire school board, Superintendent Sharon Parker, and a few other administrators to discuss the district's next move.
The result of the meeting, though, is that the next move is still up in the air.
The administration did have a plan C (the two referendums were for plans A and B) that was discussed Monday night.
Plan C, with a price tag of about $5 million, would add 12 modular classrooms to alleviate overcrowding in the high school, where enrollment is expected to be near 1,400 next school year, but capacity is only 1,135. Unionville already has 12 modular classrooms.
Parker said in a phone interview Tuesday that she felt the board did not not support moving forward with plan C, because most of the $5 million would be in stopgap measures - like the modular classrooms - that would be rendered useless if the proposed renovation is ever done.
Monday's meeting, attended by about 40 community members, ended around 9:15, with a board decision to continue discussion of the issue at the next meeting, tentatively scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Parker said Tuesday that, if more modular classrooms are not the answer, perhaps the next step could include starting construction to add more rooms, with the district trying to fund the project itself.
In looking over responses given to a survey posted on the district's Web site last week, Parker concluded that voters still objected to the scope of the proposed renovation, which was not scaled down from November (only the funding was changed).
"That's a great concern to me, because the planned proposal was based on a needs assessment, and the needs still exist," Parker said.
Two former school board members, Jeff Hellrung and Keith Knauss, started Citizens for Efficient Education last year to oppose both referendum proposals. Despite their win on Election Day, Hellrung was less than celebratory.
"We know that we need a renovation, we know that we need an expansion, we just want to see one done with a lower scope or cost," Hellrung said.
Whatever the next step is, both sides agree that something needs to be done, and soon.
"It's not a good feeling to see the need continue," Hellrung said.
The Unionville-Chadds Ford District has tentatively scheduled another facilities committee meeting for 7 p.m. Tuesday in the high school library.
Check the district Web site - www.ucfsd.org/ - for confirmation on the date.
School district wrestles with expansion
By Will Hobson
For The Inquirer
Administrators and school board members in the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District are again asking "What's next?" after another failed referendum proposal.
Voters last week rejected the district's proposal to borrow $30 million to pay for a renovation and expansion of Unionville High School. This was the second try for the district, as voters rejected a proposal in November to borrow $62.5 million for the high school project.
In response to the second failed referendum proposal, the district and the school board called a facilities committee meeting of the whole for Monday night, gathering the entire school board, Superintendent Sharon Parker, and a few other administrators to discuss the district's next move.
The result of the meeting, though, is that the next move is still up in the air.
The administration did have a plan C (the two referendums were for plans A and B) that was discussed Monday night.
Plan C, with a price tag of about $5 million, would add 12 modular classrooms to alleviate overcrowding in the high school, where enrollment is expected to be near 1,400 next school year, but capacity is only 1,135. Unionville already has 12 modular classrooms.
Parker said in a phone interview Tuesday that she felt the board did not not support moving forward with plan C, because most of the $5 million would be in stopgap measures - like the modular classrooms - that would be rendered useless if the proposed renovation is ever done.
Monday's meeting, attended by about 40 community members, ended around 9:15, with a board decision to continue discussion of the issue at the next meeting, tentatively scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Parker said Tuesday that, if more modular classrooms are not the answer, perhaps the next step could include starting construction to add more rooms, with the district trying to fund the project itself.
In looking over responses given to a survey posted on the district's Web site last week, Parker concluded that voters still objected to the scope of the proposed renovation, which was not scaled down from November (only the funding was changed).
"That's a great concern to me, because the planned proposal was based on a needs assessment, and the needs still exist," Parker said.
Two former school board members, Jeff Hellrung and Keith Knauss, started Citizens for Efficient Education last year to oppose both referendum proposals. Despite their win on Election Day, Hellrung was less than celebratory.
"We know that we need a renovation, we know that we need an expansion, we just want to see one done with a lower scope or cost," Hellrung said.
Whatever the next step is, both sides agree that something needs to be done, and soon.
"It's not a good feeling to see the need continue," Hellrung said.
The Unionville-Chadds Ford District has tentatively scheduled another facilities committee meeting for 7 p.m. Tuesday in the high school library.
Check the district Web site - www.ucfsd.org/ - for confirmation on the date.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Miscellaneous Items
First off, kudos to phillyburbs.com and their new homepage.
Let's also remember that the PSSA testing is taking place over the next few days.
There's five districts that exceeded the 4.4% cap. Morrisville, as we know, is not one of them.
The Bucks County Technical School budget is out. Fulminations from the Stop the Schoolers to follow!
Complete breakdown of communication causes major issue with school construction! Correction: Oopsie corrected with media coverage attached. Check out the reader comments to complete the hilarity.
Let's also remember that the PSSA testing is taking place over the next few days.
There's five districts that exceeded the 4.4% cap. Morrisville, as we know, is not one of them.
The Bucks County Technical School budget is out. Fulminations from the Stop the Schoolers to follow!
Complete breakdown of communication causes major issue with school construction! Correction: Oopsie corrected with media coverage attached. Check out the reader comments to complete the hilarity.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Education Articles of Note
The CSI crew won't be adding any new techs from the Las Vegas/Clark County Schools System anytime soon.
91% + 87% + 88% = FAILED
But...do we need to know this anyway?
What is the Rationale for Requiring Higher Mathematics Proficiency for All K-12 Students?
And why did we do so poorly?
It’s not easy to understand why students perform dismally on high school standard math tests
Starting over from scratch is easier than rebuilding and restoring?
Vallas: New Orleans is a breeze
91% + 87% + 88% = FAILED
But...do we need to know this anyway?
What is the Rationale for Requiring Higher Mathematics Proficiency for All K-12 Students?
And why did we do so poorly?
It’s not easy to understand why students perform dismally on high school standard math tests
Starting over from scratch is easier than rebuilding and restoring?
Vallas: New Orleans is a breeze
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)