Upper Adams School Board members were divided Tuesday as they voted, recalled their votes, and revoted on capital project proposals totaling more than $900,000.
The most expensive asks from administration included roof restoration at the intermediate school, replacing a 30-year-old divider wall in the gym/cafeteria/auditorium at the elementary school, and upgrading a communications tower that is essential to the district’s radio communications.
The administration also sought approval for water softener replacement, athletic field fencing, carpet replacement, track resurfacing and striping, and repairing the high school roof’s parapet wall to stop leaks into the gym.
These expenses — excluding the parapet wall project — were estimated to cost upwards of $819,000, according to board agenda documents. As of Tuesday, the district did not have an estimated cost for the parapet wall. Most of the proposed projects were classified as “urgent” or “essential” in agenda documents, except for the carpet replacement.
Money for most of these projects would be pulled from the capital reserve fund, which is separate from the general fund. Business Administrator Shelley Hobbs said the capital reserve fund has approximately $1 million.
In addition, the administration requested to pull more than $90,000 from the cafeteria fund for a dishwasher and oven, and to repair a concave cooler floor.
Gerald Walmer expressed concern over the unknown cost of the parapet wall. He also suggested the board wait to vote on the communications tower. In April, the district will learn whether it receives grant funding for the estimated $103,000 project.
The tower, located at Camp Nawakwa, is also used for 911 communications, Hobbs said. The district is exploring whether the cost to fix the tower can be shared with the county and municipalities that use it.
“What I think is that maybe it would be more prudent from a fiscal perspective to wait until we have a better idea of what the budget looks like in a month or two,” Walmer said.
The board voted 6-3 to approve the capital reserve projects, except for the parapet wall. Tricia Plank, Gerald Walmer and Neil Weigle voted in opposition.
Then Loren Lustig asked to reverse his vote.
“Apparently we just approved us to be committed to spend that money [on the tower] whether we get cost sharing with other entities or not,” Lustig said.
After consulting the board’s legal counsel, board members unanimously agreed to recall the vote and start over.
“I have no doubt that some of these projects need to be done,” Walmer said. “But I don’t see that there’s a time crunch at the end of February to approve them now.”
Neil Weigle made a motion to only approve the projects that have already had funding allocated — the water softener, track resurfacing, fencing, and cafeteria related items. These are expected to cost just under $340,000. Weigle’s motion passed 7-2 with Jim Lady and Kay Hollabaugh opposed.
The school board’s next voting meeting will be March 19. Committee meetings are set for March 5 and 7.
Mary Grace Kauffman, freelance reporter, worked six years as a full-time reporter for newspapers in Pennsylvania and Maryland. She has covered topics including business, crime, education, government and features. Mary Grace has a bachelor's degree in communication/journalism from Shippensburg University. She resides in Adams County.