A Quick Look at the School Board Workshop Meeting

The last Phoenixville Area School Board workshop meeting offered up a lot of information in small packages.

No one topic was discussed at length, but we still wanted to let you know the important stuff that popped up.

Here’s the quick version of the board workshop meeting held last Thursday:

Schuylkill Cupola Update 

Superintendent Dr. Alan Fegley said he’d received several questions on a bid that came in for building a monument to the former Schuylkill school. Previously, the administration received a bid for approximately $250,000 for work on a patio and a pedestal that would be home to the Schuylkill Elementary School cupola.

“I want to make it very, very clear,” Fegley said. “We’re not accepting any bid like that. It’s way out of line.”

He said the project would go out to bid again, and he added that bids are expected to come in at “significantly less,” in the $20,000 to $30,000 range.

“We’re also looking to look at other groups that might be willing to do this,” Fegley said, naming CAT Pickering or the Boy Scouts as possible targets.

Fegley said the work “may fit the bill” for a possible Eagle Scout project.

Following the meeting, Stan Johnson, executive director of operations, said the district is in the process of trying to find a place to store the cupola, which is approximately 35 feet. He added that the district will now likely bid the entire project—including the restoration of the cupola—as opposed to just the patio and pedestal pieces.

Turf Getting a Lot of Use

Also during Fegley’s report to the board, he responded to a prior request to check in on how much the new turf field at Washington Field is being used. Fegley said that as of Oct. 13, the field had been used 32 days since the start of school on Aug. 29. On nine days, two events were held, and three events were held in one day, as well. Only one event had been postponed, and that was due to thunder and lightning.

“So far the athletic department is very pleased,” Fegley said.

The Final Four championships were held on the turf field this week for the Pioneer Athletic Conference, Fegley added.

“It’s become a desired venue,” he said.

Reduction in Energy Costs

The district is already seeing savings from its new energy program, according to Board Treasurer Josh Gould. So far energy costs for the year are 38 percent lower than at this time in 2010. The district is also coming in under budget on legal fees, Gould said.

The district is still looking into a solar energy purchase proposal, and an executive session was held on the topic. The administration requested authorization to negotiate with potential investors, Gould said.

Escrow Released in Middle School Project

Johnson reported that Phoenixville Borough released $3.2 million in escrow for the middle school building project.

According to Johnson after the meeting, $1.9 million remains in the escrow account, which totaled $5.1 million.

Board President Paul Slaninka thanked Johnson for his work on getting the escrow freed up for the project.

Construction on the project is still on schedule with a June 28 substantial completion date.

On Thursday, Oct. 20, the board will hold its business meeting in the administration building at 7 p.m.