After presentations by Zach Williard from Public Financial Management and Salisbury Township School District Director of Maintenance, Buildings and Grounds William Brackett, the operations committee approved Nov. 3 borrowing $6 million to fund capital improvement projects.

The 14 projects include a new roof at Harry S Truman Elementary School, replacement of doors and framing at HST and Salisbury Middle School, replacement of door hardware and keying at SMS, Western Salisbury Elementary School, HST and the administration building, replacement of hallway quarry tile floors at WSE, renovation of student toilet rooms at SMS and HST, replacement of intercom systems at SMS and WSE, replacement of student lockers at SMS, repaving of parking lot driveways throughout the district, replacement of sidewalks and curbing at WSE, HST and the administration building, purchase of a generator at the administration building, rebuilding retaining walls at HST, investigation of water infiltration system at HST and re-commissioning of the HVAC system at Salisbury High School.

Business Administrator Robert Bruchak said the legal borrowing limit is $69,042,127, with the district currently showing a $42,996,381 debt.

Brackett asked the committee to consider a decision on the roof at HST, the top priority on the list, so bidding could begin and work could be completed in July or August 2015. Brackett said doing the roof during the school year would not be advised due to the sensitivity and smells.

Director Mary Ziegler asked about the children who attend Lehigh Valley Child Care at HST during the summer; Brackett said the children would more than likely be moved to the WSE site during roofing.

Director Dr. Chris Spedaliere asked about the logistics of going to referendum and letting the voters decide if $6 million should be borrowed to maintain the buildings.

"Our reponsibility is to keep the facilities up," Director Frank Frankenfield said.

"I'm concerned the public not understanding the true need of the building systems would vote with their pocketbooks," Director George Gatanis said.

Superintendent Michael Roth said he would check on the specifics but typically a referendum for borrowing has been on new projects.

Spedaliere said they would need to educate the public which would mean more work for the board but the public should have a say on spending more money.

Director Sam DeFrank was concerned [a referendum] would slow the process down. "We should be keeping the public informed anyway, always. We should be good stewards and do the work at the best time at the lowest possible cost."

"We know we have to do the improvements," Frankenfield said. The committee then agreed because interest rates are so low, now was the time to borrow the money and make the improvements needed.

In other business, Bruchak said the Pennsylvania Department of Education has released $621,065 due the district in Plan Con money. Bruchak said it will take two to three months for the money to be received.

Roth announced an agreement with Salisbury Township for the use of the tennis courts at Lindberg Park. The school district will provide a portable restroom and will share the cost of net replacement as needed. The township solicitor is currently reviewing the document which is expected to be presented for approval at the next board meeting.