Credit: Souderton Area School District
The 15-minute presentation featured a summary of the scope of work, projected costs and the construction schedule.
The approval of over $31 million in proposed renovations to Indian Crest Middle School has been delayed after Souderton Area School District board members requested additional information about the project.
The decision at Wednesday, Oct. 9th’s operations committee meeting followed a presentation by Damion Spahr of SitelogIQ, a construction management and consulting firm. Board members roundly denounced the information provided as inadequate.
“There’s lots of questions,” said operations committee chair William Brong. “I need more information in order to make a $31 million decision.”
The 15-minute presentation featured a summary of the scope of work, projected costs and the construction schedule. The proposed renovations include the replacement of the exterior staircase and parking lot lights, the relocation of the flagpole, new electrical and plumbing systems, a new HVAC system and PECO gas service to lower energy costs.
Other highlights include new auditorium seating, lighting, sound and curtains, new gym bleachers and athletic equipment, renovated locker and toilet rooms, new exterior windows and doors and refinished flooring and ceilings.
“The entire building is being touched,” said Spahr. “It’s not just parts of the building; it’s the whole building.”
SitelogIQ has received numerous bids for the project, with the lowest at $31.8 million. With the board’s approval at its October 24 action meeting, construction would run from March 2025 to February 2027.
But following the presentation, board members agreed to delay action until November to obtain more detailed information about the project’s scope and costs at its November 13 committee meeting.
“We need to see the scope and a breakdown of mechanical, flooring, so we can all understand it,” said Brong. “We were expecting a lot more than a $31 million number and telling me on October 24 I have to approve it.”
“We can move this to the November committee meeting as a follow up, and between now and then, hopefully sooner rather than later, the board will have more information,” said Superintendent Frank Gallagher.
Spahr cautioned that the delay could result in a cost increase. Business director Michael Taylor said that the administration will continue to negotiate with the current list of contractors while soliciting additional bids.
The next SASD school board meeting is on October 24 at 7 p.m. For more information, visit soudertonsd.org.
