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Whitehall-Coplay plans summer electrical upgrades and full window replacement at middle school and Steckle Elementary
Summary
District staff outlined a summer project to replace main electrical distribution equipment and to replace single-pane exterior windows with insulated, operable units at the middle school and Steckle Elementary; work will require building shutdowns after students leave and an abatement contract is in place for caulk removal.
Mike Hartney, a district facilities staff member filling in for another project lead, told the operations committee on March 10 that the district will replace the main electrical distribution equipment and exterior windows at the middle school and Steckle Elementary this summer.
Hartney said contractors Brooker and Company and CMG of Easton will perform the window replacements and Wind Gap will handle the electrical switchgear. "We're going to be replacing the entire electrical distribution equipment...all the switch gear, the transformers, as well as all of your emergency generation equipment," Hartney said. He added that transfer switches and generators will be replaced and that branch wiring to receptacles is not included in the scope.
The district will also replace single-pane exterior windows with insulated, operable windows and is offering new window shades in the package. An abatement contract has been awarded to remove caulk around the windows; according to staff the caulk "was tested, hot," and abatement contractors will remove windows when work begins.
Staff said they are staging electrical work now in locations that can be accessed without disrupting students, and that the bulk of exterior window replacement will occur after students leave for the summer. The three‑story side of the middle school will receive most of the work this summer; the other side is scheduled for the following summer. Steckle Elementary will have all windows replaced this summer.
District administration told the committee that when the full shutdown occurs the affected buildings will have no electric and no air conditioning; administrative teams will relocate temporarily to other district facilities. Staff described the timetable as "tight," but said they are confident the work can be completed in the planned window.
The committee did not record a formal vote at the meeting; staff said they will coordinate directly with building administrators to finalize sequencing and contractor access.
