PASD Board OK's contracts with architects for first part of construction projects

The Palmyra Area School Board voted to approve two contracts with Lancaster based architecture firm RLPS on Thursday, marking a major step towards improvements to the district's facilities.

The contracts commission RLPS for architectural and engineering services for the renovation of the current district office, which will allow for additional classroom and office space in the high school, relocating the district office, and renovations to Buck Swank Stadium

Based on current projections, Supt. Bernie Kepler said, the district will have to open two special education classrooms, one in 2025 and one in 2026, in order to fill special education needs.

Relocation of the district office was also discussed during the meeting. The move would allow for the district to consolidate administrative departments into one building, such as the special education department that occupies a classroom in Pine Street Elementary and technology, which occupies a classroom in the high school.

During the building and grounds committee meeting that followed, Kepler presented a potential lead in where the district office might be relocated to.

Weaver Sports LLC. currently has an agreement to purchase around 19 acres off of Airport Road and Route 117, near In The Net sports complex, Kepler said, and approached the district with the proposal of working with the district in erecting a building for the district office.

The land would remain in the hands of Weaver Sports LLC., with the district entering into a lease agreement with the company with the potential to purchase the building later on.

During public comment at the buildings and grounds committee, Ralph Duquette claimed that a registered sex offender lived nearby the property in question.

Based on current timeline projections, construction on district office renovation would begin in January 2025.

Construction on the stadium project would begin in May of 2025 or May of 2026. Renovations to Bunk Swank Stadium will have an impact on fall sports, meaning that football operations will be held at a different location during the nine-month construction period.

The projected costs for 4A range from $14.5 million to $21 million.

On May 9, the school board will vote on a bond parameters resolution, setting a threshold for the district and bond council to act on the borrowing of $20 million for 4A. Bond pricing and lock in would happen the week of May 27, and close June 27.

Kepler said during the meeting that one hitch the architects could ultimately run into is whether the bathroom accommodations at Buck Swank will meet code requirements, which could ultimately increase costs for the project. The district won't know until the architects begin the project.

During the finance committee meeting that followed, director of business affairs Mike Frentz presented a review of the proposed 2024-2025 budget.

The proposed budget was currently balanced, with $67,788,831 in total expenditures and $67,646,336 in total revenue. However, Frentz did note that expenditures for medical insurance and special education can and likely will change.

The proposed budget also included a 2.3% property tax increase, which the district was recommended to include during a previous committee meeting, funds from which are associated with borrowing for the feasibility study project.

Daniel Larlham Jr. is a reporter for the Lebanon Daily News. Reach him at DLarlham@LDNews.com or on X @djlarlham.

This article originally appeared on Lebanon Daily News: PASD signs contacts with architect for feasibility study project