New Kensington-Arnold board seeks $4.13M state grant for boiler replacement, approves matching funds and multiple contracts

The New Kensington-Arnold School Board voted unanimously March 3 to request a $4,134,287 Public-School Facility Improvement grant from the Commonwealth Financing Authority to fund a boiler replacement project and designated Superintendent Christopher S. Sefcheck and Director of Administrative Services Jeffrey S. McVey to execute the grant documents.

The board also authorized a $1,033,572 local match — 25% of the project cost — to come from the district’s Capital Projects Fund. Board members who voted yes were Timothy Beckes, John Cope, Rob Fusia, Jane Graham, Amy Grillo, Mary Jendrey, Robert Pallone and Sarah Yurga.

In the same meeting the board approved a set of other operational and capital items: authorization to advertise bids for domestic hot water boilers at Roy A. Hunt Elementary School and for a sound system at the Valley Junior/Senior High School football stadium; replacement of server-room battery backup units from CNI Sales, Inc. at a contract cost of $62,700 (pending an anticipated 80% E-Rate reimbursement); and hiring Hawley Consulting Group to perform GASB 75 valuation services for post-retirement medical benefits at a cost of $5,100.

Other votes taken without dissent included routine financial motions to authorize March payroll (Feb. 2026 payroll listed as $1,646,463.57), payment of approved bills totaling $3,903,899.74, acceptance of student activities and treasurer reports, approval of a bid sale from the Unsold Property Repository, and several personnel actions described below.

The board approved contracts and agreements affecting student services and staff training: renewing an agreement with The Children’s Institute for alternative education placement services; approving Peacock Keller as special counsel for special education matters at stated hourly rates ($185 partner/counsel, $165 associate, $125 paralegal); and accepting a Crisis Prevention Institute proposal to provide de-escalation and crisis response training for staff at an initial cost of approximately $20,000.

Votes at a glance (motion number — outcome): 2603160 — approve payroll/bills/treasurer report — approved unanimously; 2603161 — request Public-School Facility Improvement grant ($4,134,287) — approved unanimously; 2603162 — commit $1,033,572 local match — approved unanimously; 2603163 — replace server battery backup units (CNI Sales, Inc., $62,700, pending E-Rate) — approved unanimously; 2603164 — GASB 75 valuation services with Hawley Consulting Group ($5,100) — approved unanimously; 2603165 — advertise bids for domestic hot water boilers at Roy A. Hunt Elementary — approved unanimously; 2603166 — advertise bids for stadium sound system — approved unanimously; 2603176 — approve Peacock Keller as special counsel for special education — approved unanimously; 2603177 — renewal of agreement with The Children’s Institute — approved unanimously; 2603178 — approve Crisis Prevention Institute proposal (approx. $20,000) — approved unanimously; 2603179 — approve listed volunteers for 2025–26 — approved unanimously.

Why it matters: The grant request and the $1.03 million local commitment move forward a capital project intended to replace aging boilers without drawing primarily from the general fund, while the related actions (bids, interim infrastructure purchases and training contracts) prepare the district administratively and operationally for project implementation.

The board adjourned at 7:32 p.m.