Board approves Option 4 for Public School Facility Improvement Grant; also backs York Tech land purchase resolution
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Summary
The board voted to apply for Option 4 of a Public School Facility Improvement Grant to address HVAC, exhaust systems, tank removal and pump insulation at two elementary schools; later the board approved a resolution supporting York County School of Technology's purchase of adjacent property using adult‑education receipts, with directors asked to submit ballots to the joint group.
Two capital matters carried the meeting forward.
Public School Facility Improvement Grant: Administration and consultants presented three application options for a facility grant targeting Lively and North Salem elementary schools. Option 3 focused on a prioritized package, Option 4 expanded scope to address additional HVAC and environmental issues at both schools, and Option 5 would have used the full available grant to include unit ventilators at North Salem (a high‑cost line item). After technical discussion about moisture, chillers, pumps and the relative urgency of North Salem's systems, the board voted to submit Option 4 as the district's grant application to DCED, citing the benefit of addressing pressing HVAC and exhaust issues at both schools while balancing risk of applying for the maximum cost package.
The resolution passed by roll call; administration noted some items will be contingent on DCED award amounts and recommended professional studies already completed by EI Associates would accompany the grant application.
York County School of Technology land purchase: The board also considered a resolution supporting York Tech's acquisition of an adjacent property using adult‑education receipts. Board members asked about how the adult‑education receipts were generated, tenant lease assumptions, the size of the purchase contract (quoted at $1.5M), and potential ongoing utility or renovation costs. Administration and JOC representatives said the adult education program had accumulated dedicated reserves (from profitable programs and tuition receipts) and a current tenant under multi‑year options could generate rental income to offset purchase and renovation costs. The board approved the resolution 7–2 and directors were instructed to sign individual ballots for the 126‑member submission required for the authority approval process.
Both actions were presented as opportunities to address long‑term facilities needs with external funding or program receipts; board members asked administration to continue to report progress and financial contingencies as grant and transaction steps proceed.