Council Rock board green-lights design work for full Chancellor Center renovation, 7–2

The Council Rock School District board voted 7–2 on Nov. 13 to authorize design and planning for a full renovation of the Chancellor Center in Newtown, agreeing to hire an architect and construction manager for the Option 3 plan.

The board’s motion to approve design and planning for Option 3 — described by administrators as a full building renovation with a project budget “not to exceed” $18,420,000 — passed on a roll-call vote: Tate (yes), Hidalgo (yes), Roosevelt (no), Hickey (no), Polley (yes), Ozeki (yes), Khan (yes), Stone (yes), Horner (yes).

Superintendent Dr. Sanco and Business Manager Tony Rapp told the board the night’s votes would authorize only the design phase and construction‑management services, not the construction contracts themselves. Rapp said the two design agreements total about $1,211,000: $786,500 for architect Murata | Maine and $424,500 for construction manager Boyle Construction. “Option 3 was the best option,” Rapp said when explaining the administration recommendation.

Why it matters: administration and several board members argued that a comprehensive renovation would address long‑standing water infiltration and mechanical system problems in a single, coordinated project and reduce the risk of repeated disruption and rising costs. Supporters said the approach adds sprinklers and other code‑level safety upgrades that would not be included under limited repairs.

Opposition and cautions: several board members urged caution about the higher price tag. Director Mike Roosevelt, who voted no on the Option 3 design motion, said Options 1 or 2 would address the immediate safety and mechanical issues at lower cost (he cited $8.69 million and $9.9 million for Options 1 and 2 respectively). Director Hickey also opposed committing to the largest scope now, citing past facility projects that ran into capacity and cost concerns.

Contracts and next steps: following the vote the board approved the Murata | Maine architectural agreement for Option 3 (architect fee cited at $786,500) and a Boyle Construction contract for construction‑management design services ($424,500; extensions billed at $28,500/month if the project timeline lengthens). Administrators said geotechnical and investigative work will continue and that a future board will need to approve any construction contracts once plans and bids are complete.

Public reaction: several neighbors and community members urged the board to approve Option 3 during the public‑comment period. Cheryl Kearns Hills told the board, “Option 3 does it all for all of us,” and Diana Bilic urged the district to “do this work once and do it right.” Other commenters asked for pay‑as‑you‑go alternatives and questioned taxpayer impacts.

What the vote did not do: board members emphasized that the motion did not award construction contracts or commit the district to immediate construction spending beyond the design and preconstruction fees. Administrators said they will return with bids and additional contractual details before construction begins.

The board also approved related project agreements for Newtown Elementary School and Holland Middle School on the same agenda (see separate article).