An operations meeting for the Salisbury Township School District was held May 5 with a packed agenda, sending the meeting close to four hours in length.

One of the first items to be discussed was brought to the table by Director of Maintenance, Buildings and Grounds William Brackett who listed the top 13 projects needed within the district with an estimated cost of $12,117,430.

Brackett assured the board members numbers were just estimates to give the committee an idea of what is needed.

The first priority, according to Brackett, is to replace the roof at Harry S Truman Elementary School at an estimated cost of $2,242,500. The warranty for the roof expires in 2016 and there are issues.

The second priority is to replace exterior doors and framing at HST and Salisbury Middle School with an estimated cost of $422,500. There are 18 doors at HST and 24 at SMS which need to be replaced.

Brackett said the third item on the list is to replace the HVAC system with chiller at HST at a cost of $4,563,650. The system is currently 25 years old.

The fourth item on the list is to replace interior doors, hardware and keying at SMS, HST, Western Salisbury Elementary School and the administration building at a cost of $293,900.

The fifth item on the list is to replace the hallway quarry tile floors at WSE at a cost of $112,320.

Next on the project list is to renovate the student bathrooms at SMS and HST at a cost of $521,950.

Replacing the intercom systems at SMS and WSE are seventh on the priority list at a cost of $525,200.

The student lockers need to be replaced at SMS, according to Brackett, at a cost of $117,650.

Repaving the parking lot driveways at all five buildings is ninth on the list at a cost of $2,176,850.

Coming in 10th is replacing the sidewalks and curbing at WSE, HST and the administration building at a cost of $835,410.

A generator is needed at the administration building, where the telephones and Internet equipment are housed. This would cost approximately $130,000.

Rebuilding the retaining walls at HST is noted as item 12 on the list at a cost of $156,000.

Lastly, Brackett said an investigation is needed regarding the water infiltration system at HST at a cost of $19,500. There is a problem with flooding at times in the lower level of the building, especially in the "B" and "C" pods.

Brackett said some of the work could be handled by in-house personnel which would reduce the cost of the projects.

Brackett also said this list does not take care of everything needed in the district, including painting, carpeting and peeling brown paint outside of HST.

Two representatives from Public Financial Management, Harrisburg, also attended the meeting to discuss a bond refinancing of current debt and a potential borrowing of new money to fund some of the items listed on the top 13 project list.

Board President Russell Giordano said he is struggling with many of the items on the project list.

"I want perfection in the curriculum, full day kindergarten and to bring languages back to the sixth and seventh grade students," Giordano said.

Board member Sam DeFrank asked if this is the best time to borrow capital. "We may be at an optimal time with the interest rates so low."

Board member Tom Mantz said he wants to see what type of impact this will have on the budget.

Committee members reminded the public approximately $300,000 is still owed to the district from the Pennsylvania Department of Education for the high school project reimbursement. Residents were encouraged to call their state representatives to get the money released on projects already submitted by the district.

Business Administrator Robert Bruchak said no decision was needed May 5; the discussion will continue at the June 2 meeting.

During public comment, former board member Al DeBona suggested refinancing the bonds as soon as possible to take advantage of the savings. He agreed with DeFrank's approach to locking in bond rates.