Contractors Pitch Energy Solutions to Repair ASD Elementary Schools
Reynolds Energy Services consultants answer questions from Armstrong School District Superintendent Chris DeVivo and school board directors during last night’s open caucus session about their recommendations of how to repair Elderton and Shannock Valley Elementary schools.
by Jonathan Weaver
Armstrong School District board directors know repairs are overdue at Elderton and Shannock Valley Elementary schools.
A proven, cost-effective “large-scale maintenance project” was presented by Reynolds Energy Services, a branch of the overall company based in Harrisburg that led construction of Armstrong Junior/Senior High, to school directors to correct roofing, plumbing and heating concerns, among others.
During the 50-minute report, Energy Services President Rick Evans said the company branch utilizes construction management, consulting and energy services to allow school directors to forget about a lack of PlanCon state reimbursement, grant funding and rebate opportunities.
Through a method called performance contracting, Reynolds would be able to use select subcontractors to remove the public bid process and take full responsibility for the design and construction rather than have four prime contractors, an architect and an engineer.
“If you want to be more surgical the way you’re going about your renovation, and you want to be more cost-conscious, that’s where there methodology really comes together,” Evans said. “We can essentially work to any budget you can give us.
“Because it’s such a streamlined process, we can renovate an entire school in one summer. Last summer, we did three buildings - about $19 million worth of work in two-and-a-half months.”
Reynolds specializes in repairs to heating and air conditioning, plumbing and electrical - three of the main problem areas at the two aging elementary schools.
Indeed, Program Development Director Mike Conchilla found 35-year-old heating classroom units, original flush toilets and T-12 fluorescent lights - which he said are no longer made - in Elderton Elementary and two separate boilers, 40-year-old heating classroom units and also original flush toilets and worn classroom sinks at Shannock Valley.
Along with the recommended upgrades, Reynolds would perform destructive testing to see if pipes need to be partially or completely replaced.
“(Elderton Elementary) is old - it really hasn’t had a lot done in 30 years,” Evans said. “There is just a lot of wear-and-tear there that really needs to be addressed.”
Conchilla said he walked through both schools shortly after school ended in June.
Other upgrades to the roof and windows of both facilities would bring an estimated cost of about $11 million at least- a range of $4.8-7 million at Elderton and $6-9.8 million at Shannock Valley.
School Superintendent Chris DeVivo clarified with contractors that repair estimates are only going to rise during the next two school years if not addressed, and said Reynolds offers a “fantastic service,” but recommended school directors meet with financial consultants first about outstanding bonds before a final decision, as well as a budget impact test compared to building new.
“(Reynolds) said that we’ll dictate the budget. We’re more than happy to do that, but in an effort to do that, we have some homework to do,” DeVivo said.
To renovate one or both buildings as soon as next summer, Reynolds said an investment-grade audit would need to start quickly to pre-order all equipment and ensure successful construction in a timely manner.
School Board President Joseph Close was also impressed with the presentation and said that meetings with financial consultants could begin as soon as next month.
School directors also received a 21-page report of all findings, including energy consumption graphs.
Before the meeting, school directors met regarding personnel and real estate in executive session.
Armstrong School District | admin August 5, 2016
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By jorn jensen, August 5, 2016 @ 6:57 AM
That would be non-destructive testing of pipes…..
Big audience turnout by the looks of the chairs in the room. This school board is about to get back in your wallet - where is the concern?
By goober, August 5, 2016 @ 7:11 PM
i think all they are really saying is it will cost less to send the west shamokin high kids to the new school and consolidate the elementry kids into that school. this way they build their football stadium at a cheaper price looking like they saved money.every person with common sense knows its all a shell game till they get to the end. the slower they go the less they think people notice