Plum Borough SD approves immediate ADA upgrades to home bleachers, delays full replacement

At its Feb. 10 meeting the Plum Borough School District board voted to move forward with a targeted repair plan to make the home-side stadium bleachers safer and ADA-accessible ahead of graduation and other spring events.

Administrators and consultants described a recommendation that focuses on installing handrails, improving the ramp grade and removing a hazardous top step. They said a complete bleacher replacement would cost about $1,200,000, while the recommended repairs were presented as a more immediate, cost-effective option using existing budget resources. The district said contractors could start work in March, with a goal of completion by May, weather permitting. Administration noted the work came through Hayes Design and related procurement could use the state Costars cooperative purchasing process to avoid a full public bid; several board members asked whether additional bids should be solicited before proceeding.

During discussion a board member raised the district's history of relying on a recurring vendor and urged the board to require competitive bids; administrators responded that Hayes Design brought an expert and that the recommendation addresses an immediate safety concern. The board emphasized contractual safeguards: payments should be withheld until work meets acceptance standards. The board approved moving the recommendation forward, while some members asked staff to explore grants and continue vetting vendor performance history.