Jim Thorpe Area School District is considering two companies to complete its upcoming districtwide feasibility study following presentations at a workshop meeting last week.

Directors heard presentations from EI Associates and SitelogIQ as it looks to evaluate the current and future needs of the district’s facilities, programs, and operations.

A major difference, board members said after the presentations, was the estimated price point for the study, with SitelogIQ coming in around $30,000, while EI Associates was $2,500.

“I think some of the reason for that is EI has been here and done some work for us, in fact they did our last feasibility study 10 years ago,” Superintendent Robert Presley said. “They are also of course looking to get projects through us. Some of the thought is probably if we charge them less on the front side, we can build a relationship and partner with them in the future. I did like SitelogIQ’s software program that goes along with their study and how in depth that was, but it is more money up front.”

Jim Thorpe voted in October to seek proposals for the study, which Presley said would offer recommendations for improvement and long-term planning.

“It is a study that districts do to help develop long-range plans,” Presley said. “The last one I could find here was from 2009. This allows us to go into each building and find areas where things can be improved. It will help us with long-term budgeting. It is a very comprehensive study.”

The district has a board meeting scheduled for Wednesday night at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium, when it could choose a company to complete the study. The agenda had not posted as of press time.

“EI has done several hundred feasibility studies and they have a history here with is,” Jim Thorpe Building and Grounds Director Charles Dresher said. “When I first saw their price, I actually contacted them and asked them if they were missing a zero. They were very honest with me though in saying we did this for you 10 years ago and a lot of the work has already been done. They really want to continue to work with us.”

The study, district officials said, will look at everything from projected future property maintenance to class sizes and building configuration.

Palmerton Area School District is also seeking a request for proposals for the completion of a districtwide feasibility study. Palmerton’s last feasibility study was done in 2006. Panther Valley awarded a feasibility study contract to KCBA Architects of Center Valley in August for $8,780.