Facilities update: Fountain Hill construction progresses, natural-gas contract saves about $57,000; April 27 consent items previewed

The facilities committee received an energy and construction update and previewed consent items for the upcoming board meeting.

District staff reported securing a 12% reduction in the natural-gas supply contract renewal that will save "about $57,000" for the next fiscal year, an efficiency item staff highlighted as part of budget preparation.

On capital work, staff presented photos and progress notes for Fountain Hill Elementary, saying the crane and steel skeleton are up and that recent good weather recovered roughly 15 days of schedule lost during winter. Presenters praised site management for fencing, cleanliness and neighbor communication and thanked Mark and Mr. Stein for oversight.

Committee members were also briefed on consent and procurement items slated for the April 27 regular meeting, including the purchase of two small-capacity vans, an intercom installation at ASAP (a summer capital project), and multiple curriculum and software renewals (Flashlight 360 for ESOL, Discovery Education Science Techbook renewals, the second-year Exel payment for math benchmarking, StudySync renewal, Keys to Literacy professional development, and Aadian reading benchmarking). Staff said the trip Mr. Curet described is "100% outside of the Bethlehem Area School District" and that the April 27 agenda will include advertising only for that item.

During open forum a board member raised concerns that LED lighting installations left the Memorial Gym too dark for competitive sports; staff responded the lighting work is on the district’s radar and expected to be executed before summer.

The committee adjourned the facilities portion and then convened curriculum business.