Consultants from EI Associates presented an updated Jim Thorpe Area School District feasibility last week study outlining two new options to address mounting facilities needs.

The findings estimate over $36 million in total deficiencies across school buildings, with particularly urgent needs in HVAC systems and interior upgrades.

“We categorize deficiencies by site, exterior, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and also the cost per square foot,” Bruce Christman of EI Associates said. “We also looked at safety, security, code, and miscellaneous upgrades. Then we rank those from rank one to rank four, with rank one being, hair on fire, we have to get this done.”

According to the presentation, “Rank 1 and Rank 2” issues account for the most pressing needs, with Rank 2 representing over $21 million in repairs. The buildings with the largest deficiencies per square foot were LB Morris at approximately $88, the high school at $74, and Penn Kidder at $125 per square foot.

“To put this in context, we typically use $90 a square foot as our threshold,” Christman said. “If you’re at $90 or below, you’re in pretty decent shape … If you’re over $90, you definitely have more work to do.”

New options

The feasibility study included updated options for district realignment, including two new configurations, labeled Options 4A and 4B. These proposals would reassign grade levels across campuses and add or close facilities to optimize costs and building usage.

One of the new proposals, 4B, involves converting Penn Kidder and LB Morris into K-6 schools and relocating 7th and 8th grade students to the high school. The other, 4A, involves closing Penn Kidder and moving all K-6 students to LB Morris, while all students in 7-12 would attend the high school.

Currently, K-8 students attend either LB Morris or Penn Kidder depending on where they live, while the high school serves grades 9-12.

“Option 4A, we would need to create 25 additional classrooms for LB Morris to make that work, along with 12 additional classrooms at the high school,” Christman said. “Option 4B would renovate the spaces of both Penn Kidder and LB Morris, but at the high school, we need to add additional classrooms on that, along with the grade realignment and renovations.”

Enrollment figures factored heavily into the planning. Current K-12 enrollment stands at 1,686 students, with the buildings having a combined capacity for over 2,000 students. However, projections vary depending on methodology.

“Method one, the Pennsylvania Department of Education shows the student enrollment declining by about 156 students,” Christman said. “But when we look at method two, which projects kindergarten enrollment, we’re showing that increasing by over 100 students.”

Board member Mary Figura questioned the need for 25 additional classrooms at LB Morris given enrollment numbers.

“We have a projected number of 1,020 kids across the district, K through six,” she said. “So the need for 25 new classrooms seems a little outrageous when you can fit 1,100 students in there.”

Christman responded, “Even if enrollment is slowing down, the special education needs are increasing … What we don’t want to do either is design something and just fit you in for right now. That doesn’t make sense.”

Cost impact

Another key consideration was the cost impact of each option, including construction, debt load, and operational savings. Option 1, maintaining the current structures and grade alignment with small additions, carries an estimated total project cost of $39 million.

By comparison, Option 4B, which includes significant renovations and realignment, would carry a $34 million construction cost ($43 million total project cost) while addressing $29 million in Rank 1 and 2 deficiencies.

“We were very, very conservative with the annual operating expense savings,” Christman said. “So again, we’re being ultra-conservative with the numbers … We think we can do better than what’s shown here.”

Annual operating savings for option 4B were estimated at $395,000, while 4A savings are projected at $1.27 million per year.

Despite high costs, some options could offer better long-term financial value due to operational savings.

“Option 4A really gets the annual net share down,” Christman said. “It doesn’t mean this is the option to select, but what the data is showing is this is going to be a lot of bang for your buck.”

Board members expressed concern about community sentiment, particularly the potential closure of Penn Kidder Elementary.

“I feel like I can confidently say there’s not a single parent up on top of the mountain that wants that school closed,” director Michelle Mazzola said. “If the taxpayers are saying they want option one and the status quo, I think that will be important for us to consider.”

Christman said a quick analysis of the option that closes Penn Kidder estimates a potential savings in transportation costs by eliminating certain runs.

“We understand the politics of closing any school … but the numbers don’t lie of where that value is,” he said. “Sometimes it’s just kind of a mindset adjustment.”

No final decision was made during the meeting, but the next step will be to narrow down the options.

“The next step is for the board committee to select which option or two we’d like to drill down and explore further,” Christman said. “The ideal situation for any district is not to raise taxes … but we also kind of look at it from the perspective of how do we minimize that.”

As the process continues, both fiscal responsibility and community feedback, Superintendent Robert Presley said, will play pivotal roles in determining the future of the district’s schools.

“We’re going to spend money one way or the other — fix these buildings,” he said. “But what’s the best way to do it?”