The costs of a proposed renovation to the Gettysburg Area School District Administration building continue to climb.
The board learned during Monday’s meeting that renovations, including a 2,600 square-foot, two-story addition, will now cost $8.29 million. The project was estimated to cost $7.5 million in January. If the district decides not to add a second floor to the addition, the project will remain about $7.5 million.
“Administrative recommendation is to approve the revised $8,287,250.28 project budget as it positions the administration to better serve the district through aforementioned building improvements,” the meeting’s agenda stated.
Board member David Sites disagreed.
“It’s too much money, it’s too much money,” Sites said.
Board member Keith Bruck asked if the district considered renovating the former Eisenhower Elementary School, which now houses Vida Charter School. Superintendent Dr. Jeffrey Matzner said there has not been any discussion on the idea, but noted Vida’s lease expires soon.
The board will vote on whether to put the project to bid during its Oct. 19 meeting.
Facility Rental
Business Manager Belinda Wallen informed the board that the district wants to continue supporting the Gettysburg Film Festival, but prefers the event’s organizers keep the attractions inside the building.
Wallen told the board that the annual spring event has expanded into the Gettysburg Area High School parking lot and now includes campfires, horses, and cannon demonstrations.
“The most recent request had considerable cost the district quite a bit more money in terms of upkeep, care, and maintenance,” Wallen said, adding taxpayers ultimately pay for those costs.
Board members Alice Broadway and Al Moyer expressed support for the event and Festival Producer Andrew Dalton, but agreed that a large event is more than the district can support. Moyer, who is also the executive director of Gettysburg Area Recreation Authority, said he would contact Dalton and suggest he move the outdoor aspects to the Gettysburg Area Rec Park.
Lacrosse Co-Op
Gettysburg and Littlestown Area School Districts may join forces to provide lacrosse opportunities for students.
Athletic Director Kody Godsey said accepting Littlestown students into the Gettysburg program will expand junior varsity and varsity opportunities for students at both schools. Gettysburg has not had enough students to field a junior varsity boys lacrosse team two of the last three seasons and the girls team has often had to play with fewer players or cancel games.
“Both the coaches and myself are supportive of moving into a co-op,” Godsey said.
The cooperative agreement would move the teams from a AA to AAA classification and bar them from participating in playoffs the next two seasons. Godsey said he does not see this as a hindrance since Gettysburg has not qualified for playoffs in recent years.
The board will further discuss and vote on the proposal at a future meeting.
