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Soccer association, field lighting and several school renovation change orders move to full board
Summary
The Marple Newtown Soccer Association presented a plan to upgrade two field lighting systems to LED; the district also previewed change orders and summer renovation projects for the high school auditorium, Russell boiler and Paxton Hollow library and classrooms to be brought to the full board.
The Marple Newtown Soccer Association asked the district this week for approval to upgrade to LED lighting at Russell Elementary’s soccer fields and Paxton Hollow Middle School’s back fields. District facilities staff told the committee the fields are on district property but paid and maintained by the soccer association, so the association would cover electric and maintenance costs while the board must approve work on district property.
A facilities representative summarized the request and municipal-account details: “So is it the soccer association's lights, but our property, so we have to vote it through?” a board member asked. The facilities presenter confirmed, “They have their own PECO bills there. They pay for the bills. They pay for the maintenance.” The presenter said the LED proposal includes a substantial manufacturer rebate and described it as a partnership between the association and district.
Other facilities items the committee previewed for the full board include: - A $19,429 change order for the high school auditorium to add a new camera system to record and display video in the hallway, upgraded sound and battery-pack speakers for backstage communications. - A change order for Russell Elementary’s boiler project to address an electrical vault contaminated with oil, which required remediation work. - A Paxton Hollow library renovation that will include asbestos abatement of existing 8x8 tiles, Environmental Control Systems (ECS) air monitoring and sampling, new VCT flooring similar to a recent high-school project, and new furniture and a smaller circulation desk. - A Paxton Hollow boiler solicitation planned for the 2025–26 school year and classroom/space renovations at Russell Elementary to relocate the staff break room, expand a classroom into a roughly 1,400-square-foot open space and create a new design-thinking classroom and offices; the life-skills room would move into the former kindergarten area.
Why it matters: the field-lighting project could reduce energy costs for users and the district through LED efficiency and rebates; the other items are routine capital maintenance and summer renovation projects that affect safety, air quality and instructional space.
Process and next steps: facilities staff said they will bring formal motions and bids to the full board at the upcoming voting meeting; some bid packages remain incomplete and staff expect to present motions next week for board action prior to summer work.
Scope and funding: speakers described the soccer association as responsible for utility bills and maintenance; details on bids and ultimate contract awards were not finalized at this meeting and will be provided at the full-board vote.
