The Pennsbury facilities committee reported Oct. 16 that several building projects and safety upgrades are underway or nearing completion and that athletic‑field work has advanced.

In a facilities update, committee chair Mrs. Palsky said the Charles Bay Middle School auditorium Phase 5 ceiling, lights, and seating had been installed and that substantial completion for the auditorium work is scheduled for October 2025. She said the newly installed turf field has passed G‑Max testing and that final grading, seating, paving and fencing will follow sports‑light pole installation; electrical work was scheduled for Oct. 27 and will be coordinated with sports activities.

"The installation of the turf field has been completed along with the G Max testing," Mrs. Palsky said. "Final grading, seating, paving, and fencing will follow the sports light pole installation." She also reported completion of security camera projects and server‑room upgrades, with substantial server‑room completion anticipated in November.

Public safety and contamination concerns
During public comment, eighth‑grade student Joseph (Joey) Weisner urged the board to consider health risks from artificial turf, saying studies show turf infill can contain chemicals and heavy metals such as lead and arsenic and can pose risks to players and nearby residents. "Just consider what's best for their safety here," Weisner told the board.

Resident Robert Abrams alleged the construction site for the new high school sits on a contaminated wetland and cited lab reports he said showed mercury, lead, chromium and other hazardous materials; he warned disposal and remediation could substantially raise project costs. Administration did not corroborate those contamination claims during the meeting; the superintendent said project documents and lab reports are posted on the district website’s project page for review.

Donations and other facilities items
The board accepted two donations cited in the facilities report: Edgewood Elementary donated a peach tree and an Eagle Scout donated a gaga pit for Walt Disney Elementary, both items referenced in the facilities report. The facilities committee noted other projects in progress including Pennsbury High School East roof repair and a server migration to be performed over winter.

What happens next
Facilities staff will coordinate remaining field work with athletic schedules, complete server‑room migration during the winter, and finalize project closeout documents for camera and exhaust fan projects. The administration pointed residents and reporters to the district’s website for project documents and lab reports for the high‑school site.