[{"_1":2,"_88":-5,"_89":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6593462,"mediaKeyId","3511957-6783413f721b9734d3628be895c50b5e","parentId",3511957,"title","Votes at a glance: Wilson School Board approves hires, contracts, capital purchases and property closing","audioSeconds",888,"startMs",6445000,"endMs",7333000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3511957-6783413f721b9734d3628be895c50b5e&start=6445&end=7333","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3511957-6783413f721b9734d3628be895c50b5e/thumbnail_6445000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6593462/Pennsylvania/Votes-at-a-glance-Wilson-School-Board-approves-hires-contracts-capital-purchases-and-property-closing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6593462-f048bdcc005663913a6c516571bf7bb5/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202963&Signature=Fwc~YxhvxhO90G9qvso3rpzEf0g-hv5Uf3UeymTgVNj0S3czgnrP2MQKtRPZ4RCYSEbOjApNV8Lb6PtKEvMTK0JvFmXBhz2J2uNzE~7Db7VOPevezP76Smi-uiHxKlq2P3Pzaer34ipErTdsxOEXbLOYVp3XLDIsvrK9y8fyJXIv8P8E9BVUcqj~7N2NeDjQQLGdiV6hfAHfliUraHdJnf4ECqI~m6L8W-~dP19z7lUBEZHOQzMWCRcBfxADeeQodlFgtoPk8RuTi5Fkjyao7H3pGhBCdPAED7F3Lq4UQsXv-1uvL2PwXfKr9SUom2HBSwFZNErJkCS6ounAW2-MfA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wilson School District","date","2025-04-15T00:00:00Z","article","The Wilson School Board conducted a series of routine and substantive votes at its April 14, 2025 meeting, approving minutes, personnel hires, vendor contracts, technology purchases, construction change orders, and a property purchase. Highlights and formal outcomes are listed below.

Key outcomes (selected)

- Approval of meeting minutes (March 17 and March 31, 2025): motion carried by voice vote.

- Superintendent items (7.1–7.9): board approved the grouped superintendent items as presented by roll call (9–0).

- Professional hires (7.1 list of 14 recommended hires): the board approved hiring 14 recommended professional staff. Roll-call tally was 8 yes, 1 abstain on that specific hiring motion (one board member abstained because of a personal relationship).

- Human resources contracts:
- IU 13 Act 168 compliance renewal (8.1) and Recruit Military agreement (8.3): approved 9–0.
- Vision Benefits of America renewal (8.2) was voted on separately and passed with 7 yes and 2 abstentions.

- Treasurer's report, payment of bills and financial reports: all three financial items were approved by roll call (each recorded 9–0). Payment of bills included general fund payments of $11,242,242.10, $870,119.72 from the 2021C construction fund, and $377,806.70 from the 2024 construction fund.

- Student services and special-education contracts (11.1–11.11): the board approved a set of student services contracts and agreements, including an MOU with Penn State’s PRO Wellness program and an agreement for two K–5 therapeutic emotional support classrooms operated by the Lincoln Center; roll-call vote 9–0.

- Technology and auditorium equipment purchases (12.1–12.5): approved by roll call 9–0. Notable items included two planar video walls and interactive displays for the high school auditorium and district classrooms.

- Operations and construction items (13.1–13.12): a package of construction-related items and change orders for the high school auditorium additions and renovations and other projects was approved by roll call 9–0.

- Real estate purchase (13.14 / Westview Drive property): the board authorized purchase of real estate in lieu of condemnation for the Westview Drive property; roll-call vote was 9–0. Administration noted the district will close on the property this Friday.

- Finance transfers (14.1): budget transfers dated March 2 through April 1, 2025 were approved 9–0.

- Teaching and learning items and a resolution supporting a statewide cyber charter tuition rate limit (15.1–15.10): approved by roll call 9–0; the resolution endorses a statewide cap recommended in committee discussion to limit variability in cyber charter tuition rates and reduce district tuition pressures.

- Final reading and adoption of policy 7.11 (naming of school district facilities): approved by roll call 9–0.

What passed unanimously (9–0)

Several grouped consent and substantive motions recorded unanimous roll-call approvals (9 yes, 0 no). Those included the superintendent’s consolidated items (except the separate hires motion that recorded an abstention), financial reports and payments, student services package, technology purchases, most operations construction approvals, the Westview real estate authorization, finance transfers, and final policy adoption.

Abstentions

Two votes recorded board abstentions: the professional hires motion (7.1) recorded one abstention on the hires list (8 yes, 1 abstain), and the Vision Benefits of America contract (8.2) recorded two abstentions (7 yes, 2 abstain). Board members explained at the meeting that the abstentions were due to personal relationships with employees included on the hiring list and a board member’s conflict on the vendor renewal vote.

Procedure and context

Most votes were routine roll-call votes; a few administrative items were approved by voice vote. The board conducted executive session prior to the meeting as noted on the agenda and made several personnel decisions and contract renewals that were presented as grouped motions for efficiency. Several items were presented contingent on solicitor review; the board approved those pending final legal review.

Next steps noted during the meeting

Administration will present the recommended authorization to bid the Lincoln Park and Southern Middle School construction projects at the May 5, 2025 board meeting. The board also plans to close on the Westview Drive property as announced.

Full list of recorded actions (summary entries)

[Each entry below is listed with the motion text as read at the meeting, the named mover and seconder where recorded, the roll-call tally, and the outcome recorded in the meeting minutes. For space, a limited set of the meeting's many consent motions and individually listed contract approvals are summarized below; the meeting minutes and posted agenda include the full itemized list and vendor attachments.]

- Approve minutes (March 17 & 31, 2025). Mover: Mrs. Denney; Second: Mr. Schneider; Outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Approve superintendent items 7.1–7.9 (grouped). Mover: Dr. Kennedy; Second: Mr. McCree; Outcome: approved (roll call 9–0).
- Approve professional hires (7.1 individual hires list). Mover: Mr. Schneider; Second: Dr. Kennedy; Outcome: approved (roll call 8–1 with 1 abstention).
- Approve IU13 Act 168 compliance renewal (8.1) and Recruit Military agreement (8.3). Mover: Mrs. Casper; Second: Dr. Kennedy; Outcome: approved (roll call 9–0).
- Approve Vision Benefits of America renewal (8.2) as a standalone vote. Mover: Mrs. Casper; Second: Dr. Kennedy; Outcome: approved (roll call 7–2 abstentions).
- Approve treasurer's report, payment of bills (general fund $11,242,242.10; 2021C fund $870,119.72; 2024 construction fund $377,806.70), and financial reports. Mover: Mr. McCray; Second: Mr. McCree; Outcome: approved (roll call 9–0).
- Approve student services contracts and agreements (11.1–11.11) including Lincoln Center therapeutic classroom MOU and Penn State PRO Wellness MOU. Mover: Mr. Schneider; Second: Mrs. Casper; Outcome: approved (roll call 9–0).
- Approve technology purchases 12.1–12.5 (interactive displays, auditorium video walls, networking equipment). Mover: Mr. Case; Second: Mr. McCree; Outcome: approved (roll call 9–0).
- Approve operations/construction items 13.1–13.12 including corrected contract amount to Crabtree Rohrbach, change orders for the high school auditorium project and inclusive playground equipment at Whitfield. Mover: Mr. Case; Second: Mrs. Denny; Outcome: approved (roll call 9–0).
- Approve purchase of Westview Drive property in lieu of condemnation (13.14). Mover: Mr. McCree; Second: Mr. Case; Outcome: approved (roll call 9–0).
- Approve budget transfers (14.1). Mover: Mr. McCree; Second: Mrs. Denny; Outcome: approved (roll call 9–0).
- Approve teaching/learning items 15.1–15.10 including summer-school vendor agreements, event rentals and a resolution supporting a statewide cyber charter tuition rate limit. Mover: Dr. Kennedy; Second: Mr. Schneider; Outcome: approved (roll call 9–0).
- Approve final reading and adoption of policy 7.11 (naming of district facilities). Mover: Mr. Case; Second: Mr. McCree; Outcome: approved (roll call 9–0).

Provenance: selected transcript excerpts supporting vote items are below.

- Minutes approval (topicintro): \"So first, I would look for the approval of minutes...\" (transcript ~s=4523–4560).
- Superintendent items rollout and vote (topicintro): \"So I'm going to look first for a motion to approve superintendent items 7.1 through 7.9 as presented.\" (transcript ~s=4661–4665) and roll-call at ~s=4671–4690.
- Professional hires vote (provenance): roll call exchange and tally at ~s=4946–4967.
- Payments and financial approvals (provenance): payment of bills and roll-call discussion at ~s=6445–6499.
- Westview property purchase (provenance): motion and roll-call discussion at ~s=7193–7293.

(Full meeting transcript and the district’s posted agenda/minutes provide the complete itemized list, vendor attachments, and roll-call detail.)","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Wilson School District Board Meeting 4/14/25","oneSentenceSummary","At its April 14 meeting the Wilson School Board approved minutes, multiple personnel actions, contracts, technology and construction items, and a real estate purchase; several votes were roll-call decisions with recorded tallies and one HR vendor vote recorded with abstentions.","taxTitle","Wilson SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania","taxId",72585,"location","Pennsylvania","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6593466,"Wilson School District hears timeline, cost and permit update for Lincoln Park Elementary and Southern Middle School projects",2332,1054000,3386000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3511957-6783413f721b9734d3628be895c50b5e&start=1054&end=3386","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3511957-6783413f721b9734d3628be895c50b5e/thumbnail_1054000.jpg","/articles/6593466/Pennsylvania/Wilson-School-District-hears-timeline-cost-and-permit-update-for-Lincoln-Park-Elementary-and-Southern-Middle-School-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6593466-c1ef878b7e15f891b3ca08df6aa0473f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771202963&Signature=XL4~OvLLR2deSP74lisdlSJqQSb1M-jscS5w2brZzlTuM0T4Mipm9X1JXMSh7xBzO9H9A97KgpH7lsUsSvwJ-zRAPUIbhDu1ZBWu5Jkqf3wjltBB5kFCgANiMUkiTIZyTGkr0xOi23a-xYPSeQVX4E3ZHvCp6PmWOytDg3AVVkKBoh2oYXbYkxcrNoYlbl1prsswqCqIiEwKu9pkZ1n07x5KBbToJ3-qCVJ9gJC7-GwQ6j2QceBub2cRZN5fkSuq5HRv8diGARcWv--pMaXEI8EDquu4qSr9mUoeF~W036uwdE92ofcL3MZZ3V33LBzBg2frO-zKIvAt8TJ6vBhiEw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Crabtree Rohrbach and Associates presented a detailed progress report and cost update on the Lincoln Park Elementary School and Southern Middle School projects to the Wilson School Board on April 14, 2025.

The presentation outlined current permitting status, a recent change in water service that could save the district several hundred thousand dollars, updated pre-tariff bid estimates for both projects, and recommended bidding and contracting strategies — including alternate bid items and a potential contracted “clerk of the works” role for construction oversight.

The design firm’s lead presenter, Sean Dowdy of Crabtree Rohrbach and Associates, told the board Southern Middle School has obtained the requested zoning variances and conditional township approval pending an NPDES/MPDS permit review. For Lincoln Park, Dowdy said the project has similarly secured zoning variances and is in resubmission with the planning commission, with anticipated action at Spring Township’s May 1 meeting and the board of supervisors on May 12.

Dowdy described a late design change to serve Lincoln Park from a water main on Jefferson Boulevard rather than from West Wyeth Missing Court. He said the change avoids the need for a fire pump, tank and pump house and that the district had previously budgeted roughly $750,000 for that work. \"I would imagine this will get cut in, maybe a third at the most,\" Dowdy said, adding the change requires a willingness-to-serve letter from Shillington Municipal Water Authority and may prompt a comment from the permit reviewer.

On permitting timelines Dowdy said both projects are in a second round of technical review with the conservation district and DEP. \"The second review, particularly in the case of Lincoln Park, has been taking a really long time,\" he said, describing a gap between a quick first review and a slower subsequent review. He warned the district is in a “wait-and-see” posture for permit clearance but said the team has addressed technical comments and is trying not to pressure reviewers in ways that could slow the process further.

Costs and tariffs

Dowdy presented bid-day and total project cost estimates (all pre-tariffs) and models that include contingency and soft-cost allowances:
- Lincoln Park: bid-day estimate roughly $30.0 million to $33.1 million; total project cost estimate pre-tariff $35.6 million to $39.3 million. The firm modeled a 2% tariff premium that would raise the total to about $36.1 million to $39.9 million (approximately $500,000–$600,000 added).
- Southern Middle School: bid-day estimate roughly $43.0 million to $47.6 million; total project cost estimate pre-tariff $50.6 million to $55.9 million. The firm modeled a 3% tariff premium that would raise totals to about $51.9 million to $57.3 million (about $1.3 million–$1.4 million added).

Dowdy reminded the board that under the Act 34/PlanCon process the district previously established a maximum building construction cost for Lincoln Park of $28,105,264 in January. He explained that bids must come in within 8% of that maximum (an effective threshold of about $30.35 million) or the district would need to hold a second Act 34 hearing before entering contracts.

Bidding and risk-management recommendations

Despite outstanding permit reviews, the architect recommended the board authorize bidding both projects in May so the district can preserve schedule options and contractor availability. The team proposed a staggered release: Southern Middle School to bid first (May 6 release, five-week bid period with anticipated bid opening around June 10), then Lincoln Park later in May (May 27 release in the current plan) so the projects do not compete for the same bidders simultaneously.

Dowdy emphasized tools for limiting cost/risk exposure on bid day, including:
- Unit prices and allowances embedded in specifications so the district can deduct unused allowances or exercise them as needed.
- A set of alternate (add/deduct) bid items to reduce scope quickly if bids exceed estimates. Proposed alternates include an \"unclassified construction\" alternate (contractor assumes risk for unsuitable soils), wireless classroom lockdown hardware (add), a 20-year EPDM roof as a deduct alternate versus a 30-year roof, removal of nonessential graphics, deletion of some decorative ceiling elements at Lincoln Park (add later if budget allows), mill/overlay of mechanical-yard asphalt at Southern Middle School, replacement vs. repair alternatives for gym ramps, and corridor tile alternatives. Dowdy estimated the wireless lockdown hardware alternate at Lincoln Park at roughly $45,000 (about $625 per lock set plus electrical work) and all add-alternates at Southern Middle School at about $225,000 (bulk of cost for more doors to outfit).

Construction oversight

Because Southern Middle School is a phased addition/renovation project, Dowdy recommended a Clerk of the Works (a contracted, construction-manager‑light role) to provide on-site oversight, track time and tickets, and act as an intermediary among the district, administration and contractors. Board members asked whether such a person would be an employee; administration clarified the Clerk of the Works would be a contracted service to the district for the duration of construction, not a district employee.

Board questions and administration response

Board members asked about protections the district might include in bid documents for shifting material prices and tariff uncertainty. Dowdy said escalators or price-escalation clauses often shift risk back to the owner and can lead contractors to bake additional cost into bids; instead, he said, the district is including many unit prices and specific allowances so that unused allowances can be credited back and additional needed work would be priced via unit rates.

Scheduling and next steps

Dowdy said the team plans to seek board authorization to issue bids after the board’s next meeting (the presenter requested authorization on May 5) and noted the bid documents allow a contractor notice-to-proceed to be delayed for up to 120 days for permit-related reasons. He described an aspirational schedule with a target notice-to-proceed date of July 21 if permits and bid review align, and he noted that Southern Middle School’s phasing is particularly schedule-sensitive if the district wants the addition completed by summer 2026 to provide swing space for renovations.

Why this matters

If bids come in near the firm’s estimates and tariffs remain modest, the projects can proceed without a second Act 34 hearing. If bids exceed the PlanCon threshold, a second public hearing would be required and schedule and scopes could shift. The district faces a balancing act: delay bidding and risk higher year-over-year escalation, or bid now with some permit-related uncertainty but more control of contractor availability and schedule.

The board did not take a formal vote to authorize bidding during the April 14 meeting; administration and the design team left the board with a recommendation to authorize bidding at the May 5 meeting and with a list of alternates, contractual tools and oversight options to limit cost and schedule risk.","District architects presented design progress, permitting status, revised cost estimates and bidding strategy for two school construction projects; presenters urged the board to authorize bidding in May while noting outstanding permits and recommended alternates to manage risk.","actionData","errors"]

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Votes at a glance: Wilson School Board approves hires, contracts, capital purchases and property closing

Wilson School District hears timeline, cost and permit update for Lincoln Park Elementary and Southern Middle School projects