USC school capital projects moving forward
In preparation for upcoming capital projects, the Upper St. Clair School Board approved a proposal for geotechnical services from Professional Service Industries, Inc. during the board’s May 8 meeting.
The cost for PSI to conduct test borings of the site of a proposed community complex and swimming pool on the high school campus is estimated to be $12, 990.
The board also approved a request for proposals for construction management service for the capital projects. The school board is expected to approve a construction manager in June.
This March, the board authorized McLean Architects to continue the design development, construction documents, and construction phase administration for capital projects that include a new eight-lane pool at the high school with a possible diving well and special use pool as an add-alternate, construction of a multi-use complex with district administrative office space at the high school stadium, and completion of the Boyce athletic field facilities.
The estimated cost for all projects is $16 million, which may be financed with a tentative 0.15-mill tax increase in 2018-19 and a tentative 0.16-mill increase in 2019-20. Construction could begin in the spring of 2018 with estimated completion in August 2019.
During the same meeting, the board heard updates on the district’s proposed 2017-18 technology budget and the proposed 2017-18 general fund budget.
The proposed technology 2017-18 technology budget is $1,411,00, an $85,000 increase from 2016-17.
While costs for items such as professional services, repairs and maintenance, and infrastructure are projected to decrease in next school year, supplies, which include batteries for high school and elementary school laptops, are projected to increase by $55,000. Software, apps, and licenses are projected to increase by $24,000, and hardware and equipment are projected to increase by $62,000.
The latest draft of the district’s proposed final general fund budget for the 2017-18 school year calls for a 0.8172 millage increase.. The increase would raise the total millage rate to 25.156, meaning homeowners would pay an additional $81.72 per year for every $100,000 of assessed property.
Upper St. Clair’s proposed final draft budget is expected to be approved May 15. There will be a budget presentation June 5, and the board will vote to adopt the 2017-18 final budget June 20.