USC School Board moving forward with capital projects
The Upper St. Clair School Board at its March 28 meeting authorized McLean Architects to continue the design development and construction phase administration for its proposed capital projects and additional building projects.
An ad hoc committee presented its capital project recommendations during the board’s March 13 meeting.
Included in the plans were construction of new eight-lane pool at the high school and consideration of a diving well/special use pool to be bid as an add-alternate or add-delete to the project; construction of a multi-use complex at the high school stadium to include home and visitor-side bleacher repair and renovation, ADA compliant restroom facilities, ticket booth, concession area, announcing facilities, multi-use space available for school district and community use, and district administrative office space; and completion of Boyce athletic field facilities, a single structure to include rest rooms and changing area, concession area, and announcing booth.
Also included in the recommendations were the removal of a pedestrian bridge at the high school and repaving of the high school’s parking lot.
Construction could begin in the spring of 2018 with an estimated completion in August 2019.
The total cost for the projects is estimated at $16 million. The potential effect on taxpayers is a tentative 0.15 mill tax increase in 2018-19 and a tentative 0.16 mill tax increase in 2019-20. Anticipated additional revenue from new commercial and residential developments could mitigate some of the anticipated increase. The school district is also seeking private contributions through a legacy campaign.
Later in the meeting, USC Superintendent Patrick O’Toole and USC Finance Director Scott Burchill, presented a draft of the district’s proposed final budget for the 2017-18 school year.
Total budgeted revenue for 2017-18 is $78,947,341, up 3.36% from the $76,380,902 budgeted for 2016-17. Revenues include a 0.8172 millage increase, raising the total millage from 24.3388 to 25.156.
O’Toole stressed that the numbers are preliminary, and that growth in assessed property values, including Bednar Farms and Whole Foods, are being analyzed and included in revenue projections. O’Toole said staffing levels for 2017-18 are being examined, with recommendations expected in April. Capital and technology budgets are being finalized and will also be presented in April.
As the budget process moves forward, budget presentations are slated for the board’s meetings on April 17 and 24 and May 8. A proposed final budget is expected to be adopted May 15. There will be a budget presentation on June 5 and the board will vote to adopt the 2017-18 final budget on June 20.
The March 28 budget presentation can be viewed on the district’s website at www.uscsd.k12.pa.us.