PVSD Presents $9M Capital Project ‘Wish List'

Perkiomen Valley School District Business Administrator Jim Weaver presented a capital project “wish list” to the Perkiomen Valley School Board directors at their March 11 meeting.

At the board's last budget presentation on Feb. 11, the 2013-14 budget shortfall was listed at just over $2 million, after taking into consideration the 2 percent tax increase. In December, the anticipated shortfall was $6 million.

None of the projects listed last week's budget "wish list" presentation are included in the 2013-14 budget.

“It is important that the school board review and understand the facilities and their needs from a short-term and long-term perspectives,” Weaver said in the presentation, adding that it is required by law that the plan be in place.

In separating the capital project list into “buckets,” Weaver’s presentation showed $69,000 for safety initiatives, $3,557,137 in maintenance, and 4,925,000 for improvements.

According to the presentation, Perkiomen Valley High School needs just over $2.5 million in improvements, including a roof replacement, added security cameras, carpet and a UV light system for the pool.

Capital requests for the athletic fields include a synthetic turf surface for $1.5 million, diving board and pool upgrades.

Perkiomen Valley Middle School East requires roughly $313,000 in improvements, including air conditioning, additional security cameras, and new carpets in the library and the auditorium. The PVMS West only has a list of $85,000, including driveway maintenance and security cameras.

South Elementary School requires over $2.5 million in upgrades and repairs, including a $2.2 million chiller, air conditioning in the gym, replacing a failing water heater, and installing flow drives on hot water pumps.

Evergreen Elementary School capital project needs total $65,000, including sidewalk repair and installation, security enhancements, classroom painting and HVAC repair.

Schwenksville Elementary came in with a $90,000 'wish list', including water pumps and natural gas conversion.

Skippack Elementary school requires roughly $210,000 in capital funds, including converting to natural gas, security enhancements, curbing replacement, sidewalk maintenance and building painting.

Weaver also presented an 'Anywhere, Anytime' learning initiative, which includes wireless access points throughout the entire district, edge switches and wiring and installation, which would cost roughly $650,000.

According to Weaver’s presentation, the Guaranteed Energy Savings Act Proposal will help to shave $3 million off this list to maximize savings on several of the energy-related projects.

Board President Lori Snyder referred to this document as “our wish list,” according to the Pottstown Mercury.