Cheltenham committee reviews roof change order, turf bid and rising stadium estimates; board has approved bleachers

Members of the Cheltenham School District finance committee discussed multiple capital projects and near-term board action items at the Feb. 4 meeting, including a roof change order for Cheltenham High School, a turf and track bid opening set for board approval next week, and updated estimates on a stadium project that have risen above earlier recommendations.

The facilities conversation centered on maximizing a roof grant and addressing sections of the Cheltenham High School roof that staff said need timely repair. District staff told the committee that approving an additional section now would maximize the grant and is also necessary because "the entire roof is not going to make it through the end of the building's useful life unless all of it is touched at some point," adding that the area above Stratton Hall needs immediate attention. Staff explained that bundling adjacent sections is more economical for contractors already mobilized on site.

Board members reviewed status of stadium and related projects. A board member noted that earlier recommendations cited a $10 million estimate for the stadium; staff said recent projections are about $12 million and rising, and that the original feasibility estimate for broader work was at least $73 million. Staff said some projects have come in under budget while others have increased, and that the district has some reserves set aside for the stadium; however, staff warned that larger projects such as Cedarbrook and Glenside will likely require issuing bonds and additional debt service in the coming years.

The committee also reviewed prior approvals and near-term votes. Staff confirmed the board has already approved the aluminum bleacher purchase (about $1,000,000) and a $38,000 electrical transformer; the turf and track bid opening (shared by KCBA) is slated for approval at next week's board meeting. A roof change order was identified as an item for next week's agenda to take advantage of grant support; the presenter said bids were priced on a per-unit basis and not arbitrarily set.

Other board action items summarized by staff included the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit (MCIU) services budget, which staff said carries a roughly 4% district increase (about $2,000). Several members asked that facilities committee follow up with a deeper review of feasibility estimates and funding strategies before additional approvals and any bond issuance.

Next steps: the facilities committee will revisit feasibility estimates and funding options at an upcoming facilities meeting; bids for turf/track and roof change orders are set for the next full-board agenda for vote and public comment.