Board delays Pine Street mechanical work but approves roof and flooring contracts

The Palmyra Area School Board on Feb. 12 postponed a proposed mechanical (HVAC) scope of work for Pine Street Elementary while approving separate roof and flooring contracts for the building.

During a lengthy finance-committee discussion, administrators and contractors presented multiple proposals and timetable concerns tied to an Aug. 15 completion goal. One administrator said only a single bidder agreed to a firm completion date with a penalty clause; others said a lower-priced bidder proposed a different subcontractor the district was unwilling to accept. Board members debated whether to accept the recommended contractor to preserve the schedule or to delay work to seek additional review. The board voted to postpone the mechanical scope of work to allow broader review of priorities and funding.

Separately the board approved a bid of $1,986,971 from David & Maines for roof restoration at Pine Street Elementary. A board member noted the sequencing risk of doing a roof restoration before mechanical rooftop units are addressed, but others said roof replacement is a necessary step to keep water out. The board also approved a flooring upgrade under state-contract prices with Durex for $392,600, which includes demo of carpet and VCT and an epoxy-like surface.

A parent speaker had raised mold and security concerns at Pine Street earlier in the meeting; an administrator clarified the district's position that mold had been remediated and that air quality testing had since "been retested and has been, perfectly healthy for our students." Board members stressed that building science and prioritization should drive sequencing (for example: keep moisture out first, then address air handling), and some members urged a holistic capital plan for the district.

The mechanical scope vote was postponed; the roof and flooring contracts were approved and will move to the implementation phase.