Wissahickon School Board approves facility condition report and playground upgrades

Wissahickon School District is set to enhance its facilities management with the approval of a comprehensive condition report by Bureau Veritas, following a recent public board meeting on May 4, 2025. This initiative aims to assess the condition of all district buildings, identifying machinery and equipment while tagging them for better maintenance tracking.

The board approved the contract with Bureau Veritas after a thorough selection process, which included presentations and interviews with multiple firms. The decision was driven by the firm’s commitment to focus solely on the facilities condition assessment, ensuring an unbiased evaluation without the potential conflict of interest that could arise from offering additional services like engineering or architecture.

The condition report will serve as a foundational tool for creating a 10-year facilities project priority list, helping the district identify urgent maintenance needs. The data collected will also integrate with the district's existing maintenance systems, allowing for more efficient tracking and management of repairs and upkeep.

In addition to the condition report, the board discussed several other key initiatives, including the approval of construction for a chiller wall at Miller's Middle School and improvements to playgrounds at Shady Grove and Bluebell. The district also awarded a bid for new food service equipment to Singer, further enhancing its operational capabilities.

Board members emphasized the importance of considering building capacity alongside the condition assessments, expressing concerns about potential capacity issues in the near future. They urged for a synergistic approach to planning capital projects, ensuring that the district's growth and infrastructure needs are aligned.

The condition report is expected to be delivered within 70 days, with results available online for ongoing updates. This proactive step marks a significant move towards improving the district's facilities and ensuring a safe and conducive learning environment for students.