The Carlisle Area School District Board of Directors on Thursday approved a resolution setting the Act 34 maximum project cost for a proposed new seventh- and eighth-grade middle school at $98,305,377 and the Act 34 maximum building construction cost at $76,513,641, and authorized a public Act 34 hearing on the project for Thursday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m. in the Fowler LGI.

Under Pennsylvania’s Act 34 process for school construction, the district must publish a prescribed booklet detailing cost estimates, financing alternatives, indirect costs and the impact on total millage before proceeding to final plans, bidding or other contract actions. The board approved the hearing booklet, the public-notice language and a resolution that establishes the two maximum cost figures. The district’s solicitor will conduct the hearing and the superintendent and the project architects are expected to present.

Board members emphasized that the Act 34 hearing is a statutory, public proceeding and that district staff cannot finalize plans or seek bids until the hearing is complete. The board also approved language permitting the public to submit written comments by email through Nov. 12 and to present oral comments at the Nov. 13 hearing; the booklet indicates preregistration is available but board members clarified that in-person speakers who sign in at the meeting will also be heard.

Board member Rick Copeland, identified in board remarks as a longtime supporter of public education investments, said the project will benefit “every student coming up” through the district. His remarks were part of broader discussion in which multiple board members signaled support for moving the project through the Act 34 process.

The motion to approve the resolution, booklet and hearing notice passed on a roll-call vote. Board members recorded as voting in the affirmative were: John Tarrant (board member), Dr. Miller (board member), Mr. Clash (board member), Ms. Bissard (board member), Mrs. Leveson (board member), Dr. Shane (board member), Ms. Bauer (board member) and Rick Copeland (board member). The board announced it would record a formal roll-call on the maximum project-cost stipulation to avoid later procedural issues.

The meeting also included board action to adopt criteria the district will use if and when it reaches decisions about the future use of Mount Holly Springs and LeTort Elementary School properties following any closure. The five criteria approved ask for proposals that are viable for the local community, offer value to the district or community, minimize future cost to the district, reflect fiduciary responsibility to taxpayers and show a strong plan/commitment to reuse so buildings do not sit vacant.

Board materials and the Act 34 booklet were posted in the district administration office and made available online for public inspection. The administration said the Act 34 booklet includes estimated financing scenarios, debt-service impacts and required notices to the public.

The board’s approval advances the project to the statutorily required public hearing phase; further steps such as final plan approval, bidding and contract awards depend on the Act 34 process and any subsequent board actions informed by that hearing.