Bids for general construction, plumbing and electrical work at Lehighton Area School District's middle and high schools will be opened at 2 p.m. Tuesday.

Each building is undergoing a renovation project expected to have a combined cost of just over $20 million.The bid opening will take place at Lehighton's administration building on Union Street.At the middle school, the district plans to replace the roof, add a secured building entrance, and replace exterior windows and doors, among other improvements.Alternates for the project include double-tier lockers, new auditorium seats, a student dining patio, replacement casework in the science laboratories, and new rigging, lighting and sound equipment in the auditorium.Work at the high school is expected to include exterior facade improvements, a secure entrance, plumbing electrical upgrades and lighting upgrades.Alternates include an auditorium acoustical treatment, a metal roof replacement, snow guard replacement for the roof, selective flooring replacement, and a wrestling and weight room in the auxiliary gym.If all alternates were selected, the estimates are $11.8 million at the middle school and $11.55 million at the high school, according to projections in January.Lehighton received Alternative and Clean Energy Program grants totaling $1.45 million for the middle school and $1.065 million for the high school.In October, Lehighton gave approvals for $8.45 million in low-interest Qualified Zone Academy Bonds it was awarded from the state, a $10 million bank loan and $5 million in bank bonds.The largest part of both projects is a new heating, air conditioning and ventilation system.Because both schools are part of energy savings, or ESCO, projects, Maryland-Pennsylvania Trane will recommend the mechanical contractor and guarantee there will be no change orders, or added costs, for that part of the job.Lehighton meets for a workshop on July 13 and a regular board meeting on July 27, when bids could be awarded.Construction is expected to start in August or September.