Montoursville Area SD board approves $9.6 million general construction contract amid concern over project cost increases

The Montoursville Area SD Board of Directors voted Dec. 18 to award a $9,598,615 general construction contract to JC Orr and Son Incorporated for building additions and related work, the board chair announced at a special meeting.

The contract includes a base bid of $9,156,285 plus alternates covering a two-classroom addition ($334,842), an unclassified construction allowance ($3,000), generator replacement ($33,357) and wood door replacement ($71,131). The board moved and seconded the measure and approved it by roll call, with two members absent.

A district presenter explained the scope of the wood-door work, saying that wood-framed doors in the additions — described as old oak — swell and shrink and therefore will be replaced so the doors and existing metal frames will function properly. “We want all the doors to replace so they function and close properly,” the presenter said, adding the work covers doors, hinges and hardware.

Board members asked for clarification on whether the work would replace only the doors or also the metal frames; the presenter said only the wooden doors and associated hardware would be replaced in specified locations. The presenter also confirmed the two new classrooms are intended to accommodate growing kindergarten and first-grade cohorts.

One committee member questioned broader project costs, saying earlier estimates of roughly $19 million had risen to about $20.23 million for the overall program. “I am just — I’m not happy about that,” the member said, noting tariffs and other factors as contributors and that a representative from CRA was not present to explain increases.

The chair called for a roll call vote; all members present voted in favor and the motion carried. Mister Gardner and Miss McCoy were recorded absent.