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Public urges Montoursville Area board to pursue state construction grants after LCTC award
Summary
Public commenters and board members discussed state school improvement grants and a $5,000,000 award to LCTC; the district said grants required ready projects with bids and it is working with state representatives to identify funding sources.
Speakers at the Nov. 12 Montoursville Area School Board meeting urged the district to pursue available state school-improvement grants after a nearby technical center received a large award.
During committee reports, board members said the Luzerne/Clinton Technical Center (LCTC) received a state award reported as $5,000,000 for an expansion project. Public commenter Ron Snell said he was disappointed the district had not applied for similar funds and urged board attention to capital needs — roofs, HVAC and classroom improvements — across local schools.
A district representative responded that many state grant programs require projects to be ready to go, with bids or quotes in hand, and that earlier deadlines and a large number of applications can limit opportunities for new projects. The representative said they are working with state lawmakers, including Representative Hamm and Senator Yaw (both named in the discussion), to identify additional funding sources that could offset costs and reduce taxpayer impact.
Separate Zoom commenter Charles Luchter introduced himself and echoed the call for the district to look for grants to address the Loyalsock Valley School’s needs and also raised concerns about football coaching and community attendance at games.
Board members and staff said they will continue to investigate funding options. The district also noted short-term constraints: some fiscal-year grant pots were reported as fully requested and many programs require ready-to-go bids or quotes before funds can be awarded.
Next steps noted in the meeting: the administration will continue grant exploration with local legislators and financial advisers and will seek to minimize taxpayer impact on any potential capital projects.
