WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — A literal window was opened into planned improvements at aging Steckel Elementary School and Whitehall-Coplay Middle School at the school board meeting Monday.
Michael Sander, of D’Huy Engineering Inc., Bethlehem, is capital improvement project manager for the Whitehall-Coplay School District.
Supported by a video slide presentation, he detailed improvements needed at both schools, including electrical, plumbing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning at the 55-year-old middle school and 49-year-old elementary school.
However, the initial step, if approved by the school board at its Aug. 26 meeting, will be to allow D'Huy to begin window design for both schools.
The windows at both schools are, with a few exceptions, original.
“This is a high priority whose needs have not been addressed in recent years,” said Robert Steckel, superintendent of schools.
The time frame for completion of the windows project is “a difficult thing to map out here, because we need to have school every year,” Steckel said.
“I’m not sure it's mapped out officially, but it should be a year to a year and a half of work.”
On the video screen, Sander presented a construction cost comparison. New construction costs would be $450 per square foot; complete renovation costs would be $320 per square foot; and modified Capital Improvement Plan renovation costs would be $200 per square foot.
The middle school has approximately 1,040 students in grades six through eight. The elementary school has approximately 615 students in second and third grades.
“This is a high priority whose needs have not been addressed in recent years."Robert Steckel, superintendent, Whitehall-Coplay School District
Limited improvements to either school have been made since their inception.
The middle school underwent a Guaranteed Energy Savings Act, or GESA, renovation in 2010 that made energy efficient upgrades in lighting, HVAC, insulation, water, storm windows and computerized energy control systems.
The elementary school also underwent a GESA renovation in 2011, as well as limited renovations in 1995 and 2017.
“They’re showing their age,” Sander said.
The timeline:
- August: The school district authorizes D'Huy to develop window replacement projects at both schools.
- September-December: Stakeholder and board input on scope, budget and priorities.
- December: School district awards contract for window replacement and authorizes the engineering firm to develop phased projects at both schools.
“The buildings are not falling down, but things need to be addressed,” said William P. Fonzone Sr., the school board president. “We can’t build new schools; we can’t afford it. It’s not in the realm of possibility.”
Upgrades to district schools
Sander outlined capital improvements either completed or near completion at the Zephyr Elementary School (interior painting, drywall repairs and gymnasium wall pad replacements); middle school (masonry and structural repairs, exterior brick replacement); and high school (roof coating).
Tax rebates for seniors, firefighters
The board will vote at the Aug. 26 meeting to approve implementation of the Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate Program that benefits eligible senior and disabled residents who own their home. The savings would amount to $650 annually.
Currently, 180 school district residents are estimated to have registered for the program, said J. Michael Malay Jr., the school district business manager.
Also at the next meeting, the board will vote to approve the volunteer firefighters’ tax credit rebate program.
About 20 firefighters have applied for the program that would benefit each volunteer by $250.
Volunteers must put in at least 60 hours of firefighting to become eligible.
The program would begin in summer 2025. Volunteers would be required to complete their rebate form by next April to become eligible.
The board on Aug. 26 will consider contracting with eRate Central to assist the district with obtaining funding for future projects.
The E-Rate program, or Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support Program, is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program that helps schools and libraries afford telecommunications and information services.
The cost to the school district for eRate would be $12,000 over two years.
Renewal with DeSales, Lehigh
The board will consider renewing its five-year affiliation with DeSales University and Lehigh University regarding internships and student teaching.
Student honored
The board also presented junior Gabriella Jaikes with a certificate for naming the school’s new mascot, Big Z.
