Mar 18, 2015 By David Singer 3 min read

Representatives with PJ Dick construction and Eckles Architecture have shown their hands when it comes to the overall cost of proposed renovations and expansions in the South Fayette School District.

Engineers said the $37 million price tag is the total estimated cost for all proposed construction, which was presented to the school board at its March 17 committee meeting. That number could change depending on suggested cost-saving measures, including cutting some items from the construction wish list.

“We would like authorization from the board to move to the next step, which is to plan and design,” said Eckles engineer Cassandra Renninger.

She also suggested the board forego applying for PlanCon reimbursement from the state on this project because the school may not be able to prove the projected population increases would match future student enrollment.

In the meantime, Renninger presented ways to save on the project by way of literally cutting corners.

“In addition to cutting square footage in some of the proposed wings, we can cut costs with some of these cost-saving measures,” she said.

Presented to the board was a list of 15 recommendations that included purchasing a softball scoreboard as well as galvanized steel bleachers directly from vendors; eliminating the fieldhouse dehumidification system and roof entry from the project; eliminating proposed courtyard infills; reducing the scope of renovations of the arts and childcare building; reducing the scope of administration offices; and eliminating up to 20 proposed classrooms and support rooms. It was not revealed how much money the district could save on the measures individually or taken together.

In other business, finance director Brian Tony suggested changing the current meal pay system because of $2.50 flat surcharges billed to parents and other charges billed to the district when a student adds credit to their meal plan.

“The best proposal we received was from a company called Heartland. They would charge 3.95 percent of the added amounts. So that would mean a parent could add $63 and ‘break even’ (with the current rate of $2.50) and would save money by adding more money,” he said.

Tony also advised the school would no longer be charged through the proposed system. The board will likely vote on the proposal at its March 24 regular voting meeting.

Also slated on the agenda at that meeting is the approval to lease 1,600 HP EliteBook Revolve computer-tablet hybrid units for grades 3 through 8. The $2,059,567 cost is for a four-year lease that includes warranties and supporting equipment.