Conewago Valley SD estimates rise by about $8.4 million; board presses for clarity on site costs and schedule

Conewago Valley School District officials told the school board on Monday that current construction estimates for two renovation/addition projects — the CTE facility and New Oxford Elementary (NOE) — are about $8.4 million higher than the district’s earlier schematic‑design estimates, driven largely by unexpected site‑work needs and some added program square footage.

John, the construction‑manager representative, presented the updated comparison and said the district’s civil engineer and construction manager reviewed the numbers and concurred that site development costs are the primary driver of the increase. "We are about $8,400,000 above our schematic design estimate," he said, adding that CTE site work is tracking about $2.2 million higher than anticipated and NOE site work roughly $3.8 million higher.

The figures prompted sharp questions from board members. A committee member criticized the timing and content of prior briefings, saying board members and the public were not prepared for the jump. "I don't like the surprises, and I'm very much so gonna suspect that the citizens are not gonna like that," the member said, pressing staff on why soil samples and elevation considerations were not addressed earlier.

Staff and consultants framed the change as a product of the design process narrowing from conceptual to design development and of renovation costs outpacing new‑construction estimates. Presenter (the project presenter) said the team added about 2,000 square feet at CTE (courtyard infill) and about 15,000 square feet at NOE to meet program equity across schools, and that those scope changes plus higher per‑square‑foot renovation costs partly explain the variance.

Officials described a significant earthwork challenge at NOE: the rear grade must be raised to match the kindergarten wing elevation, requiring substantial fill. The team proposed testing soil on a district farm property as a potential low‑cost borrow source, subject to geotechnical testing to confirm suitability and compaction requirements. "We can potentially save a lot of money from that if we can get dirt close," John said, but added geotech testing is needed to proceed.

Staff also reviewed schedule and next procedural steps: finish design development through November, hold an Act 34 public hearing to adopt maximum building construction and total project cost (a Pennsylvania school‑code requirement), complete construction documents and target going out to bid in March with construction beginning the following summer if approvals are secured. Presenters stressed that the estimates shown are still subject to change pending final design, civil comments (including the county NPDES permit review) and competitive bidding.

Board members pressed for clearer and more frequent communications as design progresses. Several said they want earlier warning of substantive scope changes and more detail on site‑work assumptions, truck‑load estimates for fill, and the budget contingency the district is using to manage uncertainty. Staff said they will increase update frequency as the project approaches bidding and will present refined numbers to the public in the fall (the team cited November as the target window, allowing for project refinements).

No formal motions or votes were taken at the update; staff said the board will see separate agenda items for the Act 34 resolution, authorization to bid and intent‑to‑award recommendations when those actions are required.

What happens next: the district's civil engineer and construction manager will finish geotechnical and traffic studies, K&W Engineers will continue municipal coordination, and staff will bring a refined cost package to the board and the public ahead of any required Act 34 vote.