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Board weighs one‑year referendum to fund fire‑alarm replacement, approves $31,000 change order
Summary
The district discussed replacing an aging fire‑alarm system and exploring a one‑year referendum that would leverage roughly 34% state debt‑service aid; the board approved a $31,000 change order for fall‑protection railings tied to a gym roof project, described as eligible for 40% reimbursement under a state grant.
Board members and staff told the Delaware Valley Regional High School District Board of Education that the school’s fire‑alarm system needs work and described a range of cost estimates. Operations staff reported a low quote near $73,000 and another estimate approaching $975,000; administrators said the full project scoped by contractors and consultants could be placed on a one‑year referendum to capture state debt‑service aid (roughly 34% of eligible costs) and use the district’s capital‑reserve account to cover the remainder.
Operations chair outlined the logistics: the district would submit a capital‑project addendum to the state Department of Education, seek a preliminary eligibility cost (PEC) letter, and — if the state issues a final eligibility cost letter after a 30‑day window — transmit a ballot question to the county clerk in time for a November election. Administrators said that, if approved, the district would hire bond counsel and a financial advisor and that the one‑year amortization would require only a single debt‑service payment from the district (offset in part by state aid), with no immediate tax increase expected if funds are applied from capital reserves as described.
Board members discussed message clarity for the public, including preparing an FAQ sheet and coordinated communications with the finance chair, architect and bond counsel. Questions from board members also addressed compliance risks from repeated system breakdowns and the district’s experience running a single “fire watch” under the current system.
Separately, the board considered facilities items and approved a motion from the floor to issue a $31,000 change order to install permanent fall‑protection railings on the gym roof so the roofing work (and related grant project) could proceed. The board recorded a roll‑call approval of the change order; administrators said the change order would be added to the existing grant project and is expected to qualify for approximately 40% state reimbursement under that grant.
