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Susquehanna Township board tables asbestos survey decision for property purchase, discusses project cost estimates and bond financing
Summary
Board members questioned a required asbestos survey tied to a property purchase, asked staff to seek lower‑cost options and tabled the motion pending an invoice or engineer review; the board also approved the fiscal year general fund budget and discussed not‑to‑exceed project estimates and planned 2024/2025 bond issuances to fund capital work.
Susquehanna Township School District board members on July 23 pressed staff for more information about a state‑required asbestos survey connected to a potential property purchase, voted to table the item pending further documentation and discussed financing and scope for planned capital projects.
Board members questioned whether an exception or existing documentation could eliminate the need for a full asbestos survey and sought an estimated cost breakdown. A board member referenced a $9,000 figure for the survey and asked if the district could first ask the project engineer to research historical records or documentation before commissioning a survey. Staff said they would ask the district engineer to look for supporting documentation and, if necessary, obtain a solicitor’s opinion; the board voted to postpone discussion of the asbestos survey until the next special meeting when an invoice or more information would be available. The motion to postpone was moved and seconded and passed without recorded opposition.
Separately, the board approved the 2024–25 general fund budget in a roll‑call vote. Board members recorded affirmative votes during the roll call for the fiscal year general fund budget as presented; an absent member was noted. During the contracts discussion, staff reviewed not‑to‑exceed cost ranges for major capital items (including an upgraded boiler and other systems) and said the district expects to pursue bond financing, using available 2024 series bonds for part of the work and anticipating a 2025 series issuance to close the remaining gap. Staff said the project cost estimate is at roughly 75% design/assessment and that the project team will continue value‑engineering discussions biweekly with district leadership, the architect and engineers to refine scope and reduce costs.
Board members did not change the project scope at the meeting but asked staff to return with invoices, engineer findings or solicitor guidance on the asbestos requirement before authorizing work. Staff said they would place the asbestos item on the next special meeting agenda once they have the requested documentation.
