After five years of discussion and deliberation, the Littlestown Area School Board unanimously approved a $53.5 million project combining the middle and high schools to form a Grade 6 through 12 complex. Construction is planned to start in September and finish at the end of 2025.
The design increases the size of the current high school building to accommodate an additional 400 students who will move in. The middle school, built in 1932 and considered beyond economic repair, may be sold.
“Wow. It’s been a long five years,” said LASD board president Dolores Nester. “I think we are finally going to have a building that is good for the students. Our students deserve this,” she added.
Superintendent Chris Bigger said the process of planning for consolidation forced the district to think about its programming, which will include new graduation requirements for the class of 2026, more electives for middle school students, and more college, university, and business partnerships. “This has been no short-term project. It’s been the most detailed, arduous, challenging process I’ve been through, but we’re setting up for the next 50 years,” he said. He praised the RLPS Architects company for their meticulous work in all areas, especially for bringing in bids that were $200,000 less than anticipated.
The overall plan chosen by the board will consist of general, plumbing, mechanical, and electrical construction plus more than $8 million in soft costs, which Randy Blaydon, RLPS project staff, described as “all associated costs that aren’t bolted to the actual structure.” He gave, as examples, design costs, project contingencies, permit fees charged by the municipality and county, inspections, and others.
In addition to the building renovation, the district will include:
- HVAC upgrades in 1st and 2nd-floor classrooms in the 1990’s wing ($1,117,500) and the Blue gym ($650,700)
- Replacement of four rooftop HVAC units ($349,800)
- A multi-purpose room ($1,815,000)
- Performing Arts renovation behind the stage ($189,500)
- Main entrance canopy ($138,600)
- Four new tennis courts ($365,000)
- Emergency Responder Radio System ($150,000)
- 1960s wing window replacement ($242,000)
One citizen spoke against the expenditure, saying it would be too burdensome on the taxpayers in the area, already facing hardships following COVID. “These citizens in Littlestown cannot afford this loan.” He said he was worried that the increase in the taxes during the next ten years would not be possible for Littlestown residents and that some could potentially lose their homes over it.
“The total annual payment for facilities via bonds is $3.8 million and will remain constant. The total cost of salary and benefits is $27.3 million and will increase annually by 2-3%. Keeping all five buildings open would cost significantly more money in staffing, maintenance, and therefore taxes,” he added.
Very few classrooms will be changed during the first year of construction. Once the new additions are completed, the high school classrooms will move into the new spaces while the older classrooms are renovated. The middle school students will move into the high school in year two of the construction when renovations are complete in 2025.
The board also approved a recommendation to adopt bond resolution parameters for the secondary school project that will allow the school district to borrow the money for the project and authorizes the refinancing of the 2015 loans of $20 million, which could save the district money over the life of loans. “We probably would be saving about .5 of a percent,” said Brad Remig, managing director of PFM Financial Advisors. “Only if we can save hundreds of thousands of dollars will I suggest we do it.”
Judith Cameron Seniura is a freelance reporter. She began her journalism career in the early ‘70s and has written for newspapers, magazines, and other media in Ontario, Canada, Alaska, Michigan, Nebraska, San Antonio, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.