Board approves five-year capital improvement plan; Garland Roofing recommends immediate full roof replacement at Chester High

The Chester County Board of School Trustees unanimously approved an updated five-year capital improvement plan at a July 2025 special meeting. The plan prioritizes roofing, gutters, plumbing and safety-related upgrades across district schools.

Board members said an assessment from Garland Roofing warned of "major water intrusion" and a risk of "possible roof collapse" at Chester High School if the current deterioration persists. According to the district presentation, Garland Roofing "strongly urge[d] Chester County School District to pursue a full roof replacement at Chester High School without delay." The district reported that the recommended replacement requires removing existing PUF and BUR systems, replacing insulation and cover boards, inspecting and repairing or replacing the roof deck as needed, and installing a new code-compliant, warrantied roof system.

The district presented a revised estimate of $6,250,000 for a full roof replacement at Chester High School. The board said the earlier $20 million estimate had included both roofing and HVAC work; the district stated HVAC remains functional and was excluded in the new estimate. The roof work would be split into phases across two fiscal years, with phase 1 to begin immediately and an estimated completion in February (year not specified in the record).

Board materials presented at the meeting show $6.1 million of projects tied to the 2025 bond schedule (if bonds are issued), including Chester High School and Great Falls High School roofs and an annual technology and IT network refresh. Separately, $5,045,000 in projects were listed for funding from existing capital improvement funds, which the district said it would offset with transfers from the general fund totaling $3.1 million (the presentation listed $1.6 million from last year's undesignated funds and $1.5 million from this year), leaving an expected net draw of $1.9 million from the capital improvement fund.

Specific projects identified for capital-improvement funding include Chester High School outside lighting, Lewisville High School plumbing, Great Falls High School gutters and electronic door systems, Chester Park epoxy restrooms, elementary school gutters and replacement of cosmetology stations at Chester County. Future-year items listed for 2026-27 include Chester High School roofing phase 2, Chester High track resurfacing, Lewisville High School roof, Great Falls High School track resurfacing, Louisville Middle School gym floor, and technology and network updates.

Trustees moved and seconded the motion to approve the capital improvement plan; the motion passed unanimously by voice vote in open session.