North Allegheny SD unveils schematic renovation plans and cost scenarios for elementary schools, NASH pool and NAI options

At the Sept. 10 North Allegheny School District board meeting, district staff and outside consultants presented schematic designs and cost estimates for a multi-site facilities program covering three elementary schools, North Allegheny Senior High (NASH) and options for North Allegheny Intermediate (NAI).

Superintendent Dr. Hyland prefaced the presentation by saying the work supports the district’s comprehensive strategic plan goal "to invest in the maintenance and development of facilities and grounds that create future-ready learning spaces." Project presenters said the work is at schematic-concept stage and that the board would see more detailed designs before any final construction decisions.

Consultants and district construction staff outlined common elements for the three elementary schools (Hozak, Inglemar and Peebles) including site circulation and parent drop-off improvements, modest administrative additions, designated large-group instruction rooms (LGIs) to handle 50–60 students, upgraded toilets and finishes, playground upgrades and mechanical/electrical infrastructure work.

Presenters provided early order-of-magnitude cost ranges for the elementary projects. Costs vary by building condition (for example, one school requires a full roof replacement, others partial), and consultants said ranges are preliminary because the design phase is not complete.

Phase 1 work at North Allegheny Senior High (NASH) would add a competitive pool (designed as a 10-lane, 25-yard or 25-meter pool that can be configured for different competition standards), renovate the auditorium (including an orchestra pit and new public restrooms), reconfigure locker areas and replace major mechanical equipment. The pool and associated circulation work were described in detail; presenters noted the design allows either a fire-rated separation with openings between pools or a fully opened connection pending further engineering and approvals.

Consultants estimated the Phase 1 NASH project at roughly $27 million to $30 million. For NAI (the intermediate school), consultants presented multiple options: a renovation-only approach with courtyard infills, options including added classroom "swing" space to avoid portable classrooms, an option adding a substantial classroom block and cafeteria work (estimates of about $103 million–$111 million), and a larger new-addition plan that preserved portions of the athletic wing (estimated at about $167 million).

District finance staff presented two district-level financing scenarios based on the options shown. Using conservative rounding, the district modeled a borrowing scenario of about $180 million (presented as the conservative estimate for the renovation/upgrade option that met program goals) and a higher scenario of about $240 million for a more extensive rebuild option. Finance staff Kermit said the $180 million scenario could be managed with roughly one millage increase tied to debt service, while the $240 million scenario would likely mean two tax increases over the borrowing period.

Kermit explained projected debt-service impacts and noted the district’s historical debt declines have created capacity to borrow. He said the district’s current annual debt service is roughly $14.5 million and that peak annual debt service with the $180 million program would be about $17.5 million. He also said the district’s debt-service-to-budget ratios would rise but remain below the district’s historical peaks and well within internal limits modeled by the consultants.

Board members asked about specifics of phasing, educational disruption and tax impacts. Board member McClure thanked staff for the long planning timeline and noted the timing corresponds with falling legacy debt service. Blackburn asked for clarification of the debt-service graph (the red line), which staff explained represented annual debt as a share of operating budget and that modeled ratios remain under a 10% demarcation in the presented scenarios.

Presenters outlined the immediate next steps: issuing requests for proposals for architects/engineers and the construction manager, extending consultant contracts, and advancing to design development this fall with additional board review and input before bidding. The district also said it will issue a request for qualifications related to the Guaranteed Energy Savings Act vehicle for potential energy-related work on the three elementary schools and NASH.

Ending

The board heard the schematic presentation and financial scenarios; no action to approve design or bonding occurred at the meeting. Staff said they will return with recommended architectural and construction-manager selections and more refined costs later in the fall.