Altoona board authorizes submission of DCED grant application to upgrade Juniata Gap Elementary

The Altoona Area School District board voted to approve administration ction to submit a DCED Public Schools Facility grant application described in the meeting packet as $5,000,000, with an $11,300,000 local match, to fund mechanical, plumbing and sprinkler upgrades at Juniata Gap Elementary. The request was presented during the education agenda and was approved as part of the board ction on items 8 a through i.

Board members discussed the timing and scope of the project before the motion. Chair (presiding) said the application had been reviewed and that, if funded, construction would be completed in 2027: "The grant is a competitive grant that if received, construction would be completed during the 2027," the chair said to the board.

Administration described the submission as a retroactive filing item in the packet and placed the project in the district—apital planning context. The board did not provide detailed line-item design or bid documents at the meeting; those details will be developed if the grant award is received. The packet lists the local match figure as $11,300,000; administration presented that match amount in connection with the $5,000,000 grant request.

The action was procedural approval to submit and pursue the grant application; no construction contract was awarded during the meeting. Next steps, as stated by administration, include developing project design and reporting requirements if the grant is awarded and presenting any required contract approvals back to the board for vote.