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Southern debates fate of building project
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CATAWISSA RR — Southern Columbia should take a look at projected district costs before moving ahead with a proposed multi-million dollar building project, according to one school board director.
“We just don’t know what we can do,” Director Charles Porter said at Monday’s board meeting.
The board was discussing the feasibility study completed on Oct. 6 and submitted by Allentown-based The Architectural Studio.
The report includes three project options, one costing $16, one $20 and one $28 million. There could also possibly be $196,000 in operating costs per year for a new building or for an addition to existing facilities, Porter said.
All that’s in addition to the current economic collapse, the director said, which is why he’d like Business Manager Dan Rodgers to project what the district’s finances could look like in the future before approving the feasibility study and moving forward with the project.
“You’re not saying you’re going to do anything” by approving the study, Superintendent Charles Reh said. But a feasibility study must be approved at least two years before construction can begin, he noted.
“I don’t see any reason not to move forward” with the study, Director David Stellfox said. The board can always tailor the building project to fit the district’s financial needs, he added.
In fact, the entire project could simply end with the feasibility study, board President Mike Yeager said.
The board also discussed the possibility of continuing to be a part of the state Common Cents program. The program is an initiative of Gov. Ed Rendell’s to help districts cut costs by pooling services. However, Reh noted, only four districts in the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit (CSIU) approved the program last year: Southern Columbia, Shamokin, Benton and Milton. To reap the benefits of the program, there must be 100-percent intermediate unit involvement, Reh said.
When the Southern superintendent spoke with colleagues, they told him they felt the program wasn’t worth the administrative hassle. The CSIU already has a joint purchasing program in place.
However, Stellfox and Porter said there may be some merit to remaining in the program. A Common Cents administrator visits each participating district and evaluates where it could cut costs. Any chance to improve the district is a chance worth taking, the directors argued.
Shamokin, Benton and Milton may continue to participate in Common Cents, Reh said.
“We just don’t know what we can do,” Director Charles Porter said at Monday’s board meeting.
The board was discussing the feasibility study completed on Oct. 6 and submitted by Allentown-based The Architectural Studio.
The report includes three project options, one costing $16, one $20 and one $28 million. There could also possibly be $196,000 in operating costs per year for a new building or for an addition to existing facilities, Porter said.
All that’s in addition to the current economic collapse, the director said, which is why he’d like Business Manager Dan Rodgers to project what the district’s finances could look like in the future before approving the feasibility study and moving forward with the project.
“You’re not saying you’re going to do anything” by approving the study, Superintendent Charles Reh said. But a feasibility study must be approved at least two years before construction can begin, he noted.
“I don’t see any reason not to move forward” with the study, Director David Stellfox said. The board can always tailor the building project to fit the district’s financial needs, he added.
In fact, the entire project could simply end with the feasibility study, board President Mike Yeager said.
The board also discussed the possibility of continuing to be a part of the state Common Cents program. The program is an initiative of Gov. Ed Rendell’s to help districts cut costs by pooling services. However, Reh noted, only four districts in the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit (CSIU) approved the program last year: Southern Columbia, Shamokin, Benton and Milton. To reap the benefits of the program, there must be 100-percent intermediate unit involvement, Reh said.
When the Southern superintendent spoke with colleagues, they told him they felt the program wasn’t worth the administrative hassle. The CSIU already has a joint purchasing program in place.
However, Stellfox and Porter said there may be some merit to remaining in the program. A Common Cents administrator visits each participating district and evaluates where it could cut costs. Any chance to improve the district is a chance worth taking, the directors argued.
Shamokin, Benton and Milton may continue to participate in Common Cents, Reh said.
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